Well, this was interesting...‏

Buenas Tardes Guapos y Guapas! Espero que cuando lean esta carta, todas sus vidas sean llenas de paz y amor! 

This last week was pretty crazy, but to start off, the less important, not so spiritual stuff. I have been feeling GREAT!!!!! I get up each day with energy, and I can lift weights, I am eating well (normally elder harper and I go through 2 and a half loaves of bread, 18 eggs, and almost 2 gallons of milk each week.) I am doing a lot better with my shoulders and my knees are getting lots better witht he meds i take! HEALTH TIP ALERT! ONE WORD!!!: CHILLA (you pronounce it like a chilla pet) It is called the "marathon seed". What it does is it helps your body work more efficiently (take in more nutrients from food, helps conserve energy, helps you focus, helps your body digest and recover easier and quicker) and the great part is that you can buy a 2 and a half pound bag of these little suckers for 10 bucks!!! It is a really small seed (ize of a fruit fly) and you put 1 spoon full in like 32 oz of water and drink it throughout the day! I have been feeling great and i think it helps me with the sun too!

Ok, so I have been loving the calling as a district leader, but the first few days were pretty rough. We were jumping in between an enormous hill and our large area for almost 3 days, and then at the end of the night we would just get home to crash, and I would then have to report and check up with everyone. ut now that I "made it til sunday" (mtc saying) I am SO READY! I just love the elders here and I know that this next cycle is going to be the BOMB! I am so grateful for this calling, and I am ready for the new adventures we are going to have in these next 6 weeks! (changes are tomorrow. Elder Harper and I are still together)

ok, so now the good part. I feel the same, but i also know that I have changed a lot. This week was pretty rough. We would check with people before te appointments, and then we would get there.... knock knock knock! ..... NO ONE.... We were teaching like 4 or 5 lessons each day, and that is in total, not just investigators. we were just going around trying to contact everyone and do the best we could. I have really noticed that my way of thinking has changed. Instead of getting to a fallen appointment and thinking "oh crap, where are we supposed to go now?", I now think "who is the person God has prepared us to help now?" and then we just go about talking to people, and I have found that after each appoinment that falls, we almost ALWAYS find someone that accepts our invitation to learn more! It truly is amazing how the plan of God works in our lives! :)

So, I think that is about everything.. we are just sitting normally at a balmy 90 to 95 degrees down here with 60 percent humidity and free afternoon bathething here in the beautiful city of Chimalhuacan. I really miss air conditioning... haha I have really come to a greater knowledge of the gospel and especially what God has in store for us. I have seen some of the greatest missionaries I know get frustrated because there has been some problems (me included), but the truth is that the plan of God can't be frustrated. We just have to keep moving on in faith that HE KNOWS! I also have a testimony of what my president says: "YA GOTTA WANNA" followed by "Poder es querer!" "to be able to is to want". This gospel, and this life, are for progress. I saw a saying above Elder Harper's desk that I like "Who we are is God's gift to us. Who we will become is our gift to God!". I truly testify that our eternal progression is going to be at one point or another our own responsability! May we look to the lord for the strength to change and the peace in our moments of hardship! I love you all! Take care, and don't eat weird things! hahaha

Love Elder Norr

ok, so I am going to send pictures first!

First, these papers are always out in front of this church, and they always looked really cool, so I got a pictures with em.

 This is me and Filiberto! He is probably one of the greatest men tat I have met in my mission and I love him to death (from my last area)

 This is my pimp mobile. This is public transportation here. It is called a Micro, and they pack like 40 people in these things and pretty much race on the streets. When you need to get off, you touch the doorbell, andthe driver slows down enough so you wont die when you jump off! haha

umm, my bedroom I think

 My companion and I rockin a "selfie"

 and i don't remember what the last thing is...oh its my english preach my gospel book

Also, Elder Harper i roasting marshmallows on our little heating coil haha

 I found a 5000000 peso bill! high rollin in Mexico!!!! Totally fake!

 ok so heres is my Neck beard that I got a couple of weeks ago inthe hospital.

Wake up call.... Surprise!

So there we were! Lounging around on a calm monday morning; cinamon french toast was cooking in the kitchen with the warm smell of summer and food filling our home. Imagine it! There I was. Lounging on my bed, calm music playing, hot delicious french toast on the plate, and then... President calls! YES! I love our little chats! And this is what then came to pass...

President: Bueno.

Me: Bueno Presidente!
President: hey elder norr! How ya doin buddy?

Me: (thinking he just wanted to see how I was feeling after being sick) I'm feeling great president! What's up?
President: Well, a lot of stuff is up.... are you ready? I have news....

me: (freak, gut drop) Ummm... sure...
President: ok, take a deep breath.

me: OK.....
President: As of right now, you are the district leader in your area... Is that ok?

me: ummmm...... (freak)... yeah that's fine.... 

So, after a short series of rather unfortunate events, Elder Kelshaw has been transfered to go help another district that has been having some problems and I have recieved the calling to serve as the district leader here in Xochitenco (sochi-tank-o). I am honestly so nervous, but I have really in these last few weeks been prepared by the Lord. I am normally a guy that likes to be in charge of stuff, but especially after being sick, I have come to the conclusion that "Everything is part of the perfect plan made by our perfect father in heaven. He doesn't make mistakes. He knows exactly what is going to happen and we just have to be wiling to accept it with faith and diligence"

I'm not going to lie, this is a little different for me, but it's a new adventure, and for those of you who know Elder Nathan Bill Norr, he's definitely down for a new adventure! I just love this work and the joy and peace that it brings! Now for my health...

I have been feeling pretty good. I am trying to do a little bit of exercise in the mornings, but I find that my body after walking all day still doesn't want to get up at exactly 6:30, but we're doing our best. I have started taking my vitamins that should help me have more energy and help keep me well nourished. I am weighing about 133 right now, but I'm on my way back up! If you ask my companion elder harper, I have been eating us out of house and home! For example, one day I at 5 pancakes with banana and strawberry jam inbetween, with a cut-up apple, a glass of juice, and then a bowl of cereal... The next day I ate a 3-egg ham omlet on a sanwhich with a cut-up apple, banana, cup of juice, and a small sandwhich about an hour later. So, I am eating, but my body is still trying to get used to the fact that I no longer have a diet haha, but we're gettin there!

NEWS FLASH!!!! I officially have a YEAR!!!!!! I feel SO WEIRD!!! I CANT BELIEVE IT! So, I wrote a letter.... in the mtc.... to be read when I completed a year.... I was honestly afraid to open it. I finally read it on sunday, and I found that I am actually doing pretty good with the type of missionary I want to be. I'm not perfect, far from it, but I'm slowly getting there. Here's the weird part! I wrote part 2! It was the weirdest thing I have ever written because all of it was how I should be at THE END  of my mission... I sealed that in a letter and it has been thrown into the luggage...

I really don't know how the time has went soo quickly... All I want to do is be healthy in the service of the lord, so that I can truly serve with my heart might mind, and strength! I truly do love this gospel, and I pray for heavenly help this week as I try to invite others that they too may make a place for it in their homes and hearts. I love Jesus! I love our father in heaven, and know that he has a plan for each and every one of us. Let's not get mad, or upset because things happen, better, let us be GRATEFUL IN OUR CIRCUMSTANCES (Elder Utchdorf in this last conference) I truly do love you all and I pray that you guys are doing well! I hope you all have an incredible week, and we will see if I am dead or stronger on the other end of this next week! Have a lovely week!

Elder Norr

Hump Day...Good News! Didn't Die!

Hello there everyone! These last couple weeks have been a little different than normal... As you have probably all heard, I did get salmonella, then a seriously nasty UTI, and we were pretty much in the hospital and then our house this week... The Good news! I didn't DIE! The bad news: I have a year in the mission! I'm not ready yet! I still feel like I am just starting and learning... For those who didn't know, God has blessed me with an incredible mission president that did call my parents and let them know how I was doing and he with my companion and God (God is really the first and most important) have been taking great care of me!

This week we didn't get all that much done. We were out in the street very little and were in our house reading very much. I have truly grown to love elder Harper. Everyone seems to want a profile of my companion so here it comes:

Name: Elder Scott Harper

Age: 19 years old

From: Rexburg, Idaho

Likes: Lord of the rings, foam sword fighting and designing, movie theme music, karate (he's a black belt), drawing, music (he was in the marching band 9 years and plays the clarinet).

Other fun facts: he is the oldest of 8 children, he knows a lot about the gospel, He has a great testimony, we speak with weird accents in the house, he's an eagle scout and a very avid scouter, and lastly.... He has become my brother! I love this kid to death and he has helped me with so many things in the time we have been together. Yes. Pictures will be included in this email!

other than that not too much has been going on, but this week is giong to be different! More than anything, I am learning to take care of myself and just do my best so that God can do the rest!

I know that this church is true and that God has a special plan for each and every one of us that is perfect so that we may someday return to live with him and our families forever! I know that God has called prophet in our day named Thomas S. Monson and I know that by listening to him and other inspired church leaders we may find peace in this every worsening world. I know that the book of mormon is true and that it contains the truths of the gospel, and last of all, I know that God gives us trials so that we may learn and become better!

I hope you all have a wonderful week and know that I love ya all lots!

Love Elder Norr

P.S. I am very grateful for the prayers and blessings that have been sent my way! may god bless each and every one of you!

ok, so I will try to describe these!

First, Elder Huizar (missionary in our district) giving my companion elder harper a shoulder massage. (those are very common in our mission)

I think it's my bed

Elder Harper and I hittin up some selfies on p'day

and my nasty neard (neck beard) that's what happens now when I don't shave for 5 days of being sick...

Nate's In the Hospital

No letter this week.  Nate's mission president called today to let us know he is in the hospital. His sickness from last week is salmonella and he's been getting IV antibiotics since yesterday. Feeing better today and hoping to get out tomorrow. Please remember him in your prayers and hopefully the chronicles of Nate returns next week. Love you all. 

Nate's Dad

And Today This Came From Nate

well,the best part is that they continue this week! We just got on really quick on our way home to let you all know that I didn't die! :) Igot out of the hospital today and the problem is under control. I will not be writing much because I need to go lay low in the house, but just know that I am doing well, I got the package with my shoes (it was half opened though....) and the president will be giving you guys a call tonight to let you know what went down! Love ya lots!!! Take care of yourselves!!! :)

Love Elder Norr

Sick Week

Ok, well this week was going pretty sweet up until I decided to get sick... We were just gettin down to work just helpin people learn about the gospel with lots of appointments and everything prepared and I was ready to find some new investigators. We ate with an INCREDIBLE sister who made us some rockin' mole and we were just having a great day; I really don't know what happened, but it just tanked and I ended up getting sick for a couple of days so that kinda stopped us up a bit, but we are going to hit it hard this week!

Other than that, I had a talk in church, but I was sick for long enough that I never really found the time to take the time necessary to prepare it... I was just sitting there in sacrament meeting with an idea just praying that God would let me share a short message with a simple spirit that would touch the hearts of the people. I got up there, and I talked about a talk from the last general conference called "your four minutes" by Bishop Gary B. Stevenson. This talk really gets to me because it talks abotu olympic skeleton racing where all the years of training and preparation are going to add up to 4 runs of less than 1 minute! It makes the comparison to life and how short it is try to win eternal like with god and with our family. I can't explain too much because then you wouldn't have to read it.... THEREFORE..... READ IT!  It's on page 84 of the ensign if it makes it easier. The talk turned out good and I hope they give me another chance to talk in a couple weeks when I am feeling better! :)

Not much to say this week, but this next week? WHOO! You better believe it! It's GONNA BE GREAT!!!!!!!

I guess I'll just leave you guys with my testimony then:

I really do know without a doubt in my mind that this church is true, The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and that it is the only true church of God on the entire face of this lovely earth! I know that the book of Mormon is true and that by reading it, we will grow closer to God and become more familiar with the spirit day by day! I know that God lets us have trials so that we may learn to CHOOSE to want to do what is right! I know that only through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and temple ordinances that we can be with our families forever! I love you all!( That too I testify to be true :)

Have a great week!

Love Elder Norr

Xochitenco (sotchi-tenko) The promised land!‏

Hey there how we doin? This week has been a little stressful but at the same time sweet!!!!!!! First off, we had to go take pictures with everyone on monday and then I hd to pack everything. We get to changes and I just find a ton of buddies and we start to talk it up about the olden days (6 months ago) haha We here President stutznegger in the back part of the gym hitting the table with so much enthusiasm as he talks to the elders that are going to train about how they can do this great work and help these new elders! First off, The new president is INCREDIBLE! I truly do love him so much! They asked me to play the piano in the changes. That was pretty cool. My companion?..... WHITE DUDE!! SAY WHAY????? That's right, me and my buddy elder Harper from rexburg idaho are workin xochitenco! He's a great guy and he has a really great testimony. Neither one of us knows the area and our area is pretty huge this time, but we do our best to follow the spirit and talk to lots of people! :) Elder Harper has had a pretty rough mission up til now because all of his other companions have pretty much been disobedient and put him down, but I'm am so grateful to have him! :) The president came out to talk to the missionaries before we went to our areas and he grabbed harper and I and asked how we were doing and if we were excited. he started in spanish, but then just busts into English: "we can do this! Can't ya just feel it?!?! Life is GOOD! LIVE IT!!!" he is such an incredible man and his wife loves us so much!

My area: Xochitenco 3 aka Promised land! 

Population: who knows!

People ready for the gospel: TONS

Members: Incredible! 

I just feel so great in this area! it's not even in Neza, it's in a town called chimalhuacan! The air is clean the streets are wide, and the weather is great!!! It reminds me of a type of st. george version Mexico and I really feel so comfortable here. I just love to work here!!!!

This week we have just been working hard. We have been contacting lots of people, but the addreses are so hard here... They are by street, apple, and lot number. You can be looking for street achiote apple 7 lot 15 when you see apple 6 and the nexxt house is apple 546 lot 94.. The people are ready fro the gospel, but it is harder to find people, so we try to know more doors...

I think that's about it. We have some great people. OOH! MIRACLE! We got a call from this girl that has been going to church for the last couple weeks and we had an appointment with her, but she wasn't home... The next day, we are walking on the street, and we get a call... from her!! Her name is Marlen. She called: Elder! When can you come to my House?

me: we'll come over right now

Her: ok, what do I need to do to get baptized? i really want to know! It's urgent!

me: ummmm............................................ we'll be over there in a second to talk about it!

We get there and talk a bit. then she just says: " I want to be baptized before the 27th!" ummm....... ok. She hastn' recieved any of the lessons yet, but she has come to church like 5 times. She told us on sunday that she wants to get baptized THIS SATURDAY!!! Not sure what to think honestly... We are going to pass by her everyday this week and see how she progresses, but she is going to get baptized in these next couple or weeks!

I testify that the church is true. And it is the ONLY true church on the face of this beautiful earth. I testify of the words of my President! LIFE IS GOOD!!!! LIVE IT!!! I testify that because of Jesus Christ we can be strengthened in our weaknesses and be able to become strong. Trust in the spirit! I testify that God knows more than any of us do. I was reading this week in the first chapters of Nefi. I just love how faithful Nefi is in keeping the commandments of the Lord. Even after everything that happens to him and his family, he trusts in the lord and is willing to act. I testify that this week is going to be a good one!! I love you all and hope the best for you!!!!

Love Elder Norr

4th of July! Adios Maravillas! new President!!!‏ 11 Months Out!!!

Well hello there handsomes! :) (that's usually how I say hi to the other missionaries) Translation: "Eh, que pasó guapos?"

So, just to start things off, WE HAVE A NEW PRESIDENT! He is SO AWESOME!!!!! he and his wife have such a great testimony of the gospel. half the mission was gathered in the stake center where we have changes and we were just chillin there when suddenly.... What?! a smiling older white lady walks into the chapel saying a ton of awesome things about us in english?! I believe that would be the president's wife! :) Then this super smily white guy walks in saying a bunch of great stuff in english too???? That would be our PRESIDENTE!!!!!! President and Sister Stutznegger (just try to say it right) They come by  and one by one shake the missionaries hands and aksing their names and where they were from. When president got to me he asked me my name and where I was from... Obviously one of the best cities in the world! LAS VEGAS!!!! Then he went to give me a hug, a mexican hug. They are still great hugs, but they are on the right side instead of the left. I asked him if I could give him an american hug? He said yes!!! That would be a firsst in 11 months!!! WOW! I have 11 MONTHS!!!!! No! That's almost half......

So, the new president is great, but he got here with pneumonia..... nasty stuff, but he is doing a lot better and we are hoping to have in the changes tomorrow!

Speaking of changes.... I have them.... with my luggage... That means that I am leaving my zone. It's kinda weird only having 2 areas with almost a year int he mission, but i have loved maravillas! The people have been so great to me and I am going to miss them lots, but I am also excited for a new area. I am going to miss my son Elder Cuscagua a ton! We have grown so close and things have been so great for the last couple months! but, he is going to be a dad!!!!!! LOve this guy! We're going to get pics of my OTHER GRANDKID THIS NEXT WEEK!

So, being this week the 4th of July, I began singing the starspangles banner at about 10 at night walking around in the US world cup jersey that I FINALLY found after a year in mexico with my hand on my heart! Great moment! Other than that, we didn't do anything too special....

Recap of Maraviallas! Here are some of the moments that I have never told you guys and I won't mention too much about them.

-Danced salsa with a drunk dude in the middle of the street because he wouldn't let us go in peace..

-Got super inflamed intestines and had to take special meds. 

-Found great people to baptize: Raymundo, Concepcion, Jacobo, Jorge, Carolina, and Daniel.

-Got robbed for my 8 dollar watch and 30 pesos... my first sunday....

-found out who I am

-almost died because of stress

and some other great stuff!

don't really have much more to say other than that I am excited for a change! I love hearing your testimonies and I know that mine is truly growing tons and tons! I know this church is true, and I hope that someday you will all be able to meet the great people that I have grown to love here in mexico. Maybe not in this life, but hey , that is wat's so great about the plan of salvation! Things may be hard, but life goes on. The question is "will we?" I love you all lots and wish for your safety and happiness. I hope you can all learn more about the gospel and the blessins that we each recieve every day from God!

Hope I don't forget anything! I hvaen't gotten packages. I lost my sweet sweater today because My comp and I accidentally left our sweaters in the soccer field... Chafa, but other than that things are good! I am more or less healthy and my conversion is becomeing stronger! Please keep strengthening yours!!!!! I love you all!

Elder Nathan Norr