Jordan's Letter

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan Bloomquist
Date: Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 12:40 PM
Subject: WOOT WOOT


Hey Yall,

        First of all Lily and Sophie I know its your birthday on the 9th  and I am sending a letter but it looks like It is going to arrive a little bit late judging by Edens letter just got there, so please forgive me.  Eden ha ha ha I just had to laugh when mom said you had an accident with the sugar cookies, don´t worry Bengamin Franklin didn´t discover electricity by reading the instructions on how to fly a kite.  Really I am just thinking that he thought it would be really FUN to fly a kite in a thunder storm,  come to think of it I bet he was a yellow.  Go team yellow.  Sophie you asked who am I teaching today,  well at 6:30 we have an appointment with Juan and Maria and their family.  They are less active, which means they havn´t been going to church for a while.  So we are going to visit them and help them get excited about going.  Church starts at 10:00 but on average no one gets up untill 11:30 they always feel bad for us when we say we get up at 7:30.  

    A cultural experience that I had this week was ... playing ¨baby¨ and making sopaipillas.   Ok so first of all baby is soccer but it is played on concrete, the size of  a basketball court it is super fun, almost everyone plays it here.  The second thing, making sopaipillas are like scones but they have pumkin in them so they are yellowish and instead of eating them with jam or powder sugar we eat them with mustard, salsa, ketchup, or ají which is a hot sauce.  Mother you asked about completos and yes I have tried them they are delishious at first it didn´t sound good to me with gaugamolie or palta as they call it here, as well as mayo and tomatos.  

   A spiritual experience I had this week, nothing huge or grand but another small reminder that Heavenly Father loves me.  So this week was changes and I have been in this sector with my companion for 12 weeks, and on average that is the longest that  companions are usually together.  We are having so much success in this area right now and I was afraid that if we changed things would not work out the same.  Heavenly Father has a plan for everything and everyone, I know that, but I asked and prayed if it would be alright that Elder Lyman and I stay in this sector for one more change.  Last night we got a call from the assistants to the president that we were both to stay in the sector for one more change.  Heavenly Father loves us mucho.      

     Something that made me happy this week we were able to baptise Andrés, it has been difficult trying to teach him because  he has had to travel to Brasil during the week so we only could teach him on Saturday nights but yesterday he had a beautiful baptisim and almost all the ward was there.  

I´m sorry my time is almost up but I just want to say that I love you super much.

P.S. mom I tried to take money out of my account but it wouldn´t let me perhaps I have forgoten the pin or maybe the bank has something to do with it Elder Lyman said he had to talk to his bank to relese his card to chile to get money out could you see possibly what I need to do, thank you so much for everything,

P.P.S 

The pictures are of Andrés and his family and also us making sopaipillas.

 I love yall

Elder Bloomquist

Reality Check....Check

I've always thought of Fred as a dreamer and me as more of an idealist, but in truth I think the difference is just that he has grand illusions and I am merely delusional!

EXAMPLE
Rachel's "Visions Splendor" for Valentines Weekend:
1. Go on a romantic date.
2. Design and handmake three children's classroom valentines, creating a memorable, more meaningful experience.
3. Have a white tablecloth, formal Valentines breakfast.
4. Clean the house spotless, including everyone's bedrooms while they are all gone and have a gift for everyone on their pillow and Valentines music playing when they all get home.
5. Have a nice, early dinner. Have a memorable,Valentine theme F.H.E.
6.Create unique, individual valentines for Jordan.
7. Make special Valentines Treats for our neighborhood.
Rachel's Reality Check:
With children's input, design very cute Valentines on the computer that I then decide would be even cuter as bookmarks, thus they are not ready by the Friday school deadline and my little children are worried. I promise Abe, Lily and Sophie that we will spend Saturday making Valentines, then I get the sudden inspiration to paint the built in bookcases to offset the couch Olsen's gave us. So, Fred and my Friday night date starts at the craft store and ends at the Home Improvement store, but we are both alright with that and decide to have a Valentine lunch date on Monday (since I have no children at home).

Saturday morning I realize that since I don't have a car during the week, the grocery shopping will need to be done that day (the cupboards are getting pretty bare:). Fred offers to take Mikayla and do that so I can stay home and fulfill my promise to the younger children of finishing class Valentines. We cut and glue and tie fancy yarn for almost ninety Valentine bookmarks.  It takes hours but is actually enjoyable for all of us, and I still have enough time to pull all of the 10+ boxes of books off of the bookshelves and give them a good wipe down before Fred and Mikayla got home with the endless loads of groceries. Fred and I spend the rest of the evening priming bookcases, instead of going to our Stake Valentines dance. We both enjoy it more, but I should be making sugar cookies for a R.S. assignment and appetizers for Abe's school Heritage Day, both which need to be ready Monday morning. Now I'm too tired. I make a poor choice and end up cooking on Sunday and missing out on "a day of rest". I pay the physical and spiritual price. Fred helps me out with my poor choice and I feel bad, but love him more for it.

Monday morning I get up at 6:00 and miraculously have the breakfast I pictured ready by 7:00 and very uncharacteristically our family sits down for a breakfast together on a school day. By the time everyone leaves the house is a bit disastrous. Fred and I realize that we can't have a lunch date because his class is from 11-2 and I have some morning errands. Mikayla leaves the truck and I venture outside of Middleton  to quickly grab little gifts. Can't find exactly what I want so it takes me longer than the morning. I don't have a watch or a phone and end up pulling up as the children are walking in from school. The house is still a disaster, there is no music playing, Abe's mylar baloon has deflated and the flowers for the older girls are not a surprise. I am so disappointed that I cry and my children have to make it all better instead of the other way around. I am able to create more of an atmosphere before Fred get's home and F.H.E. is great, but lasts long and Fred and I finally manage just to fit a late night movie in for a Valentines date and only then does it sink in that things don't have to be ideal to turn out alright because the whole idea of Valentines Day is to let those around you know that you love them and I have done that and my family has done that........so, Happy Valentines Day!

Fwd: Feliz Dia de Amor

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan Bloomquist
Date: Mon, Feb 14, 2011 at 12:47 PM
Subject: Feliz Dia de Amor


Querida famila mia,

     HAPPY VALINTINES DAY how is everything going back in the town of Middleton.  No snow huh hmmmm Dad I think you are right because it rained here for 3 days last week and that never happens during this time the earliest it normaly ever starts is in the middle of March.  It was kind of fun because I got to use my umbrella and the drainage system is not very efficiant here so the streets turn into rivers.  Jesus, one of our friends that always does splits with us turned in his papers to go on a mission he is 26 and so he is just seeing if he even has a chance, he wants to go so bad.  He is a convert of two years,  and already is an incredible missionary. 
   In our ward we have a couple missionary from utah that remind me of grandma and grandpa,  so I always feel a little bit home when ever we go to church.  The Sister Cardon always makes us a dessert every week, mostly cookies.  It reminds me of when Grandpa would write and say how the missionarys loved grandmas chocolate chip cookies so much.  For the record Sister Cardons cookies are deliousious but the don´t hold a candle to Moms or Grandmas.
I want to let you know that I love you so very extreamly super much.
Have a very merry VALINTIMES DAY

Con Amor
Elder Bloomquist

From Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan Bloomquist
Date: Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 1:25 PM

Mi Querida familia,

                      How goes the work,  QUACK  How goes the work QUACK,  sorry for some reason that book came into my head and so   with my random skillful techniques I typed it on here with my own two hands.  How are yall doing, it sounds like you had a great experience with Jets baptism.  He looks like he is a great kid and I am glad he had a lot of support.  We have a baptism with a 18 year old joven named Andrês he is such an awesome kid.  He already comes to church each week with his cousins, we just need to teach him the lessons.  Last night we went over to his house and taught him lesson 2 and 3 with a cool story that Elder Lyman and I drew and cut out, it was intended for littler kids but we used it on him.  It incompassed the plan of salvation with the 5 principles of the gospel.  We also taught him about the word of wisdom and the ten comandments.  Andrês always wears dimond cross earings but when we talked about the word of wisdom we included what president Hinkley said about men wearing earings he took them out but I could tell it was hard for him because he was rubbing his ears for the rest of the night.  I know he just wants to do what is right and that is why he is choosing to get baptised. 

So this week also another thing happend that was kind of interesting.  We were teaching one of our other investigators about the word of wisdom but before that we were just helping him clean up his house a little bit.  One of his windows were open so .... I looked out the window and what did I see, a big marijana plant right before my eyes.  We taught him about the word of wisdom and he didnt have any problems and said he would follow it so we are just crossing our fingers that the plant belonged to someone else that perhaps lived in his house, because it was pretty much in their back yard.  He is also a good guy with a great family so I always am excited to teach him.

On Wednesday I went on exchanges with Elder Mooney in pirque, and for lunch we went to this mansion up in the mountains that had a pool a tennis court a basketball quart and a futball feild they had a maid that served us delious lazagna perhaps a little too much and then for dessert they brought out three 60 dollar cakes and a bucket of Ice cream.  It felt just a little bit strange I felt like I couldnt move or I would reck something.

Ok so about the camera I am not exactly how much a new camera in the states costs but judging from everything else prices are pretty similar.  Also I dont know how safe it would be sending a camera in the mail so this is just my thinking but if you could put how ever much you think a camera would cost there in the US in my account that would be great and I will just pick one up one one of my P days.  Thank you mucho.

Have a grand week love you all 

ELDER BLOOMSQUEAKS 

 ps that is what Fabiola always calls me because at first she could never pronounce my name right and now it is just habit.

The Armies of Helaman

Saturday started out fun, with a quick visit to Liz and Nate's to pick up a couch they generously gave us that has been a blessing to us already.We have been blessed so many times from family thinking of us and we are grateful. Our playroom is actually starting to look like it has potential and that is fun.

Saturday afternoon Jet called to tell us he didn't need a ride to his baptism, which was a fun message to receive because it meant he was getting more support from family. We showed up at the stake center at the same time that he drove up with his father. I have been nervous to meet his family because they haven't been exactly pleased with his association with the church and I was afraid there might be hard feelings toward us. My worries were heightened when I saw the serious look on his father's face and the wall that seemed to be up when he entered the church, but I forced myself out of my comfort zone and introduced myself to each of his family and friends as they began to arrive and found no open hostility. I could tell Jet was nervous, but excited. He had four friends, who were not of our faith, sitting in the row in front of him teasing and heckling before the meeting started so I was nervous too, but  a few minutes before the meeting started the youth from our ward and stake started to flow in, and as I turned around and watched these beautiful and strong young men and young women walk through the door and then looked over at my own strong, beautiful young women I knew the "armies of Helaman" were in our midst and the Spirit would be powerful in that room.....and it was! The Releif Society room was full to overflowing and the opening song was sung with heartfelt conviction and my concerns of sacred things being taken lightly were quelled as I looked at the row of friends who minutes before had been so loud and sarcastic and saw respect and reverence. The ward mission leader and Mikayla both gave beautiful, profoundly simple talks and I was so pleased to see Jet's father move to the front of the room with the youngest children before Jet was baptized. While he was getting dressed, the meeting was opened up to testimonies and was filled back to back by these amazing youth among us. I love Middleton for a lot of reasons, but first and foremost I love it for it's numbers and depth of young people.

Many members and friends stayed for quite awhile after the baptism to visit with Jet and I spent a good deal of time embarrassing him by taking endless pictures (unfortunately much of the "Army" left before I could get them on camera). It really was a beautiful day inside and out. There were blue skies, the sun was out and for one day it felt like Spring. Symbolically it was. Jet had asked to come over after the baptism and showed up after he dropped off his dad. He ate dinner with us and stayed for a game of Risk with Fred and Mikayla and then watched the Ultimate Gift before finally going home. He had expected contention at home after his baptism--he was surprised that there was none. After that meeting, I wasn't, but I am glad he enjoys the environment in our home.

The Young Men's president confirmed Jet this morning in Sacrament meeting and gave him a beautiful blessing. I had such a peaceful feeling as I looked down the row and witnessed Jet take the sacrament for the first time. Amazing things can happen when one person is courageous enough to open their mouth. I admire Mikayla for being that one. I know there will be ripples.

A return missionary from a new family in our ward bore his testimony today. It was deep and pure and confidant and I am sure there were an abundance of mothers that sat up and took note:) I was so excited to learn that he is one of the young men that Fred and I have been asked to work with. I talked with him after the meeting and unfortunately he will only be here for a month, but what joy to associate, even for brief moments with bright lights. Both Mikayla and Eden noticed the glow as well;)

JET'S BAPTISM
Elder Navarette and Jet

When I Grow Up

Elder Uchtdorf said, "Let's be honest; it's rather easy to be busy". So many little things can so quickly add up to so little time. It is a constant effort to reign back in and take time to "be still". By the time Friday rolled around, Fred and I just wanted to stay home for date night (and that's big for me!) We told Mikayla she was in charge for 45 minutes and went upstairs and read "Jesus the Christ" together as we have been falling behind on the challenge to read it in it's entirety with Mikayla this year. It was a great date and the kids were all respectful about "leaving us alone". 

We had a fun girls day on Wednesday, to celebrate Lori's birthday. Make came up with a cute, simple craft that we could make while we visited and ate cake. We were all only there together for a couple of hours, but it feels good to touch bases in our busy lives.

This morning Fred took our car into the shop AGAIN! The fuel pump and some other major thing need fixed and we have to replace all of the tires and the windsheild. It's no fun to keep putting money into a broken down heap, but it's a heap that we own. Our goal is not to go into debt again and saving cash for a car takes a bit of time, so we'll keep driving heaps 1,2, and 3 until we reach that goal. Hopefully those goals will cooperate and coincide:)

The good news is, that cars are temporal and we are way too spoiled temporally anyway and much more eternal things are taking place this weekend as Jet will be baptized on Saturday. He's a good kid, so willing to change his perceptions and desirous to follow counsel. He's got a lot of opposition right now with his friends and family but they have all said they will be at his baptism, which I think is a good sign that they support him, even though they don't like what he is doing. He did say that one of his friends told him that if anyone tried to convert him that night he would punch out a priest. We are hoping he is all bluff:) I don't think he realizes that the "priests" in our church are actually his peers. The missionaries asked Jet last week if he had any questions left and he asked the missionaries what music he was allowed to listen to and mentioned a band in particular that I didn't recognize but you could tell he was concerned about (which means he really already knows). The missionaries told him that was his choice which is true, but he was seeking counsel so I thought it only fair to give him counsel and explained that he should be choosing media that was uplifting, that was in accordance with the standards of the church and talked about the guidelines in "For the Strength of Youth". I told him the only really specific media guidance we were given was not to watch R-rated movies. He laughed and thought I was joking, but when he realized I wasn't I think he lost a few pounds. Of course, I told him it was still all his decision but it has been interesting watching him grab hold of the truth and the light and hold on tight. Change takes time, but he is moving in the right direction. The youth in this stake are all in shock as they hear he is taking the discussions or getting baptized. He's been a bit of a "disturber" among the LDS kids at high school and there have been some jaws dropping. I think he will be surprised at how many of them turn up at his baptism. We will be sure to include pictures next week. And just for the record, because the whole experience has been an odd one for Mikayla, Jet and Mikayla are just friends. He has sat with our family, by Mikayla, in church since the last couple weeks in October and I assume will continue to do so until he is deployed in June. They have been quite thrown together because she is his support system right now and people at school and at church talk, but there is no basis to all of the talk and it makes Mikayla uncomfortable and I am positive would make Jet uncomfortable if he knew the extent of the talk. They have a gospel tie and she is a kind, non judgmental girl at school, which attracts people who are unsure and looking for something better and he has a bright mind and depth intrigues her. Thus, an unlikely friendship has endured, but no  progressed beyond that.

Our Angel Maid got accepted into BYU-I this week, but hasn't received her track assignment yet. She has Senior-itis in a big way and is ready to "Fly". It's hard for me to prepare to let another fledgling go.

Mylisa said that as the oldest child in the house leaves, it just creates a bigger place for the next in line and she has been so right. Mikayla has blossomed in amazing ways since Jordan started testing his wings and I'm sure Eden will do the same, but I will miss my Mikayla Dawn.

Jordan is coming up on his 20th birthday in March. It is a landmark is so many ways and I can't believe I have an adult child who will no longer be classified as a teenager. How did that happen? I'm still preparing for "when I grow up" but I guess I am "up". This changes everything! :)

Below is a picture Lily drew yesterday of Fred and I throwing she and Sophie in the air as babies. We all thought is was supremely charming (though not  especially physically flattering:)  I love the minds of children!

From Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan Bloomquist
Date: Mon, Jan 31, 2011 at 3:38 PM

Dear Family,

Roses are Red and Violets are blue... wait a minute violets are violet  ALRIGHT WHO WROTE THIS POEM!!!???

How is you being?

This week was both crazy and good at the same time.  My low was that out of nowhere almost every investigator that we had stopped progressing and had some crazy things happining in their lives one of them wanted a divorce from their spouse another seperated from theirs  and another left on vacation for a month so we couldn´t teach them.  PHEWW what is going on?  The devil is one tricky sly guy that is what is going on!  So we brought out the artillary AKA the big guns the Book Of Mormon is the biggest weapon there is we shared some scriptures from there and commited them to read every night and they agreed.  With those that we have visited they have noticed a difference a big one. they just feel at peace when ever they read it.  Every day I realize more how huge the book of mormon is and how much power it can have on the heart.  OK STORY TIME one time in the MTC Elder Pew and I were teaching a fake investigator and he was telling us how he didn´t want to read the Book of Mormon because he didn´t know what it was we promised him the blessings in there and said he just needed to try it.  He replyed to us that his friends gave him some drugs one time, also telling him that they were good and that he should just try them.  We were stunned for a minute and then responded, " with the blessings we have promised how much worse could a book be than drugs" once again he shocked us saying "much worse, books contain ideas, powerful words that can influnce the mind where as drugs disable the physical body and there are cures for drug addicts but you can never vomit or rid the mind of poison"  I have thought about that a lot what we have is a book a very powerful and influencial book,  most books on this earth are the words of men this book,  The Book of Mormon are the words of God and His son Jesus Christ, the very same that created the seas and the mountains of the earth, the very same that created the Human body from the dust of the earth.  Some times I under estimate or take for granted this blessing that we have been given.  The instructions on how to have Joy in this life.  This is my testimony that I know the Book of Mormon is true and because I know that I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet and that we have a Father in Heaven that loves us so much he has blessed us with Familys and a Prophet to learn and grow.  Sorry I will get off my soap box but that was just my little high for the week a little thought that I had.

I love you guys
Elder Bloomquist

P.s the picture is of Me and my companion Elder Grillone Elder Mooney and Elder Matthews on P Day making Chicken Cordon Bleu