From Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Jordan 
Date: Mon, Jan 30, 2012 at 4:42 PM

Hey ma Middletonites,
           How are you all doing,  still hott as ever here but the work is progressing as well.  We knocked a LOT of doors this week.  Which I would have to say I love,  I got to know my companion much better, the things he likes and all about his family.  He is from South California, Sandiego.  He was working as an EMT before the mission and is going to study for being a fire fighter when he gets back,  so we have been talking about that a lot,  because that is something that really interests me, forest fire fighting more than nothing.  For quite some Sundays we havn´t been able to get investigators to come to the church with us.  But this sunday two came that are of gold, their names are Ramon and Mauricio,  sometimes when we go to visit them we catch them reading the book of mormon.  Ramon is about 50 years old and from what he has said seems like he has had a life of partying and is looking for a change in life.  I hope he can find that here. 
  We have a new roommate, his name is Elder Zapatas and he if from Bolivia, he is super super cool and is trying to learn english, it is funny sometimes the things he says, when he is trying to speak english, his accent is most of it, it makes me think what we sound like trying to speak spanish all day.
  Abe that is super cool how you got to fly the air plane did you spin into a nose dive and then everyone parachute out at the last minute.  That would definantly be awesome.
  Today for P-day we got together as a zone and cooked pancakes and then watched 17 Miracles it is a newer movie about the pioneers, and is incredible, talking about the many miracle the occured durning the passing of the Wille handcart company.  It just made me think twice about complaining about any of the physical trials that I have in my life, compared to them I have none.
Hope ya hoodalems have a handy dandy week, love ya all
Elder ...

A Sweet Grafiti

My Zone

Elder Weaver and I...

...with Richard and Lisset, Investigators

Elder Zapatas?

Birtday of Jesús, he is a little boy in our ward

From Mikayla

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Mikayla
Date: Sun, Jan 29, 2012 at 10:33 PM
Subject: LETTER!

Dear famasham.

Hello Family! You sound like you have had another week of exitment! I hear there are wedding bells ringing and Eden's having a date fest! (Tessia is a dating machine by the way, she has been going on 2 + dates every week for the past month. She was in our room exhausted and saying she just wanted some peace and quiet but I told her that was what she got for complaining!)

I miss the quiet of home! There is noise here always. Even on Sundays because lots of people watch movies here on sundays, ussually the rest of us chill in our room but it makes it for hungryness as it I don't want to make dinner while its on because I know I would accedentaly end up watching and the rationalization monster would emerge. 

Anyway. It's a lot of fun though! I'm like semi- nocturnal now though, I'm on a 1 to 7 clock now (getting up at 7 feels like when I was getting up at 5). 

I am really struggling with this 4.0 thing though, I have A's exept for my Spanish class. It's really difficult for me, I forgot that when learning a new language there is grammer galore. So it's like a spanish grammer class... SOOOOO hard for me! I have been getting good grades on my other things but only because I have really been praying and working like a dog. Time management helps though, because I can schedule in my free time and not feel guilty (because we are supposed to schedule in fun time or else efficiancy will go down when you get burnt out)

As far as the whole missionary thing i can't be sure... It's probably because girls are exhausting and guys are more friendly. =)

...

Hugo sounds like an interesting movie, I will have to tell Tessia about it! We were going to go watch it happened one night... but of course she was going on a date instead >=! Thats okay they are always playing old movies though.

So What are your guys's valentines plans? Thats coming up soon right? No I'm not engaged if you were wondering why I was asking...

I never really understood how college worked... and I didn't realize that the undergrad degree was just four years like high school! 

And by the way... people don't mature as the grow up... contrary to popular belief... i think it is a common misconception... past about 17 It all stops matting about age... It all starts mattering about what you have done to make yourself so!

Anyway, ya'll have a fun week!

Love, 

Mikayla

P.S. Don't worry about taking too long to draw the pictures sophie, I'm just glad i have them! 

Life is Sweet

Fred took me to see the 3D version of Hugo on Thursday for our date night. The story line wasn't riveting, but the cinematography was. They used the format in such a creatively engaging way, I thought. We had the theatre mostly to ourselves since we went during the week due to Eden having a group date at our home on Friday. The girls got a little nervous that nothing was being planned and took control. I understand their motives but I cautioned them from doing that in the future; I think it cripples a young man's ability to learn to preside. It's a precarious chicken and the egg thing and can be frustrating, but sometimes we need to fall on our face when we don't follow through on a responsibility in order to learn not to duplicate the situation the next time. I think the group ended up having fun together and I am glad for that. These girls want these boys to take control--after a date that is what they seem to be most or least impressed with. They are very quick to jump in when they see the situation is starting to flounder--too quick-- but they don't WANT to have to take that step. Even at this young age, organization and planning are a mark that you know where you are going and I think we're all attracted to that. You live and you learn.

We now have Sister missionaries in our area. They came over for dinner on Saturday. They are nice, motivated young ladies who were very friendly, kind and helpful. Eden really enjoyed their energy, and commented on how fun it was to have Sister missionaries when they left. It was refreshing that we got to hug them instead of just shake hands. The Sisters are already planning splits with me and so this is going to be a great experience that I didn't get with the young men, but I do miss "my" Elders. I feel a connection and affection with the young men that comes so naturally. Why is that? I felt the same way even in high school. Odd. I asked Mikayla for her psychological explanation and she said, "it's probably because girls are exhausting and guys are more friendly".=) Not very scientific, but as an example of the gender in question, probably true.

This year our stake president, who is an incredible man, asked us to back away from our preconceived notions of missionary work and set a goal this year to do what the gospel has always taught us and just make a new friend with no strings attached. For someone like me, who isn't good with "strangers" and experiences self-inflicted pressure with even the term missionary work, it is amazing how motivating and "freeing" that challenge is. I'm not great at making friends--I'm such a homebody hermit, but the friendships I have developed, in and out of the church, my neighbors especially, have been such a blessing in my life. They are all such good people and set incredible examples for me of true Christianity, thus helping me live my own religion better. Mys mentioned a few weeks ago that her stake president had talked to them about "uncircling" the wagons. I loved that description of reaching out and I love that we are studying the life of President George Albert Smith this year, who was such an incredible example of that life motto. The gospel has never taught us to be clannish but sometimes as members it's easy to drift to those exclusions just by being content; contentment never breeds growth. I am excited about the anticipation of making a new friend this year. True friendship can only bless my life. Hopefully it will be a two way street.

A new mission leader was recently called in our ward and he is on fire. We always end up having such meaningful discussions in Correlation Meeting and whenever I feel passionate about something I lose emotional control which I REALLY LOATH, so I was kind of glad that I had already promised to teach in primary when they asked us to do a role play for the ward during our 5th Sunday combined mtg. today. Fred said he thought it went well, but I know I would have been unstable. I love teaching but I don't like the vulnerability of wearing my emotions on my sleeve; I am sure it is distracting for those who are are trying to learn and it is so frustrating to me that I don't have the control that I want. I guess I have to remember that it isn't about me and I may have to accept that I am one of those teachers who slops and sloshes around when they talk about something intimate; no nice, pretty packages here, unfortunately.

Some of you may have noticed over the years, that I'm not a good "starter".=) I'm a great "planner" and a good finisher, but those initial steps are always a challenge for me. Fred and Eden got me started on giving our house a face lift when they re-arranged the furniture in the living room after Christmas. Fred has continued to motivate me to keep at it by being involved. This week I rearranged our picture wall so a picture of Christ is in the middle of all our family photos. I really like it so much better, both symbolically and aethestically. I had to remove 5 pictures to make it work, which I sheepishly realized were all of Jordan and he is still highly represented. then Eden's friends informed me that she wasn't fairly represented (which I already knew--I just used the pictures I had that fit the frames), but I will most definitely be remedying that this week.<:-o I'm almost finished putting together a decorative collage on the piano that incorporates some sentimental ancestry. I just need to find some more vintage photos and then I will be happy with that and will start on a project with heirloom doilies for a headboard in me and Fred's bedroom. There is so much that can be done with our house to make it more appealing and the more beautiful we make it the more peaceful it feels. I love working on projects if someone else is involved so it becomes a quality time--forging relationships kind of an activity (you can hear my blue personality screaming, I know) but I don't do so well on my own, which makes things difficult since I am home alone much of my days. I hope Fred stays involved so I can continue the momentum of making this house into a home. I miss Mikayla being my right arm in that regard.

Yet another young Middleton "farm boy" has received a mission to Chile in one of the Santiago missions. So many of our young men seem to be called to that country lately. It's incredible and so fun for Jordan and for us. Life is sweet.

Quote of the week:
"Life is about dreams.....teaching is about making them come true."

Picture Wall Redone Centered around Christ--Eyes Raised to the Temple

Bookcase Finally Finished Except Knobs (which will be oil rubbed bronze) End Table Project in Progress

FAMILY MEMORABILIA WALL (Piano Painting Plans Ahead) Gifts From Family: Wall top decorations-- minus roses and white pots--floral arrangement, stand, runners, bird, books, and round mirror from Mom. Wall clock, front easel, couple statuette and dried roses from Fred. Seed ball from Marg, black frame from Liz, gold frame from Becky. White pots from Mikayla and mother statuette from Jordan. Wall art (my money) and Eden's good taste and highly persuasive influence=) Heirlooms: Grandma Jones' curtain in large frame; Journals/ Bound Histories; Engagement photo of Grandma and Grandpa Higginson.; Great Grandma and Grandpa Nielson in small frame which needs painted black or gold. Still Tracking Down Ancestral Pictures for Gold Frame

DECORATIVE AND FAMILY HEIRLOOM DOILIES I've been trying to figure out how to mount this above my bed and still have the wall show through. I'm stumped so I may have to frame them indivdually, and since square frames are hard to find, Fred may have to hand-make them all. Yikes. Any ideas?

My "Silver" Christmas Present from Mom--Framed...

...And on the Wall

Flowers from Fred--just because......to replace the pink Gerbera daisies from last week.....which replaced the ivory roses from the week before...=)

Lily and Sophia's Diorama's--They Were so Proud!  (Sophie was sick at picture time)

From Elder Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Jan 23, 2012 at 3:09 PM

Buenaaaa Cabros locos,
   Today is the begining of a new change and I have the privalage of staying in my same sector I am sad my previous companion Elder Weaver left.  We were together for almost five months,  and he was and still is an awesome friend and companion.  My new companion is Elder Chumbley from California, he is actually half Phillipino because his mom was born and raised in the Phillipians.  This week has been very good, the last week with Elder Weaver, and we did a lot of knocking again.  I have come to find that I love knocking, it is a good time to talk and get to know your companion and you have the opportunity to get to know and meet people in all stages of life.  The other day we were knocking and we were running into all kinds of excuses, some of them made me laugh just because they were so out there, people saying oh umm... we can´t we are watching TV right now or no we are too busy, we can´t talk about Christ during the day but don´t worry we read the Bible at night time.  People really said these things, silly people tricks are for kids.  President has encoraged us to be much more bold and so we have been trying to do that, sometimes we have even invited people to be baptised in the first five minutes that we were talking to them.  I never would have dremt of doing that at the begining of my mission, I would have been way to frightened, but I feel the more I learn about God and his plan for his Children, the more  I feel more confident to spread this message with everyone. 
   Yesterday after lunch we were on our way home to do our companion study but we felt we should pass by a contact that we had done earlier that week,  when we yelled at the house we could here a lot of people in the house laughing loudly and talking and one of them we could here say, "mom your boy friends are here".  A shady looking guy opened the door and let us in.  There were quite a few people inside,  they asked us to sit down and told us they were kind of busy and to just teach the kids, we invited them but they played it off and motioned to there kids we started off with a prayer and then went into the plan of salvation and the book of mormon.  At the first of the visit I felt like we had made a mistake and that we should probabley leave,  but by the end of our visit the adults along with most of the children were listening intently and asking questions about the book and when sunday meetings were at.  I am always suprised at the things I take for granted that captivate other people and the power of it.  Sooooooooooooooooo coool.
I hope you have a beautiful week and lots more snow.
Love ya lots
Elder ...

From Mikayla

---------- Forwarded message ----------

On Sun, Jan 22, 2012 at 12:15 PM, 

Mikayla wrote:

Well, I got a calling today. I'm the assistant refreshment coordinator. It should be pretty fun! I had some tests this week. My Spanish one was really weird... it looked like a middle school test and there were no lines to put my answers on so I kinda just scrawled all over... I don't know what I'm gonna get on it.... I'm kinda nervous! My psych test I felt prepared going in but the questions are really confusing, I only got a 84% but its graded on  a curve so hopefully I get an A on it!

On Sundays we have been going to this old folks home to sing hymns. It is a really great experience, but like always there are some interesting characters there. Last time we went there was this old man with bright blue eyes a little white scruff and a cowboy hat wheeling him self around in a wheel chair. He kept waving at me and Tessia and Kenzie and saying "come here, come over here" we sort of smiled but did not go over. Then he pointed to Kenzie and patted to his lap and said "common! I'm gonna show you how the world turns!" Needless to say we tried our best to scurry to the other side of the room and avoid him as best as possible.

Thanks for the package by the way! I love your pictures Soph and Lil! I think me and Tessia are going to go to It happened one night this Friday, she really likes that movie, and I'm exited to see it! 

Tell me about your guys's escapades! And Mom... are you waiting to read this until Monday nights? Cause If you are I think you should read it on Sunday so people will write back to me... just a thought.

Love you all!

Mikayla

Every Minute of Every Day

I had 3 different meetings before church even started today and there was a Seminary Anniversary broadcast after the block, so I have now been in meetings for 7-1/2 hours. Oddly enough, those busy Sundays are the ones that I really love as they make me feel invested. Of course meetings aren't worth much if you don't put principles into practice but I guess even a year later I am still having withdrawals from the busy climate of serving in the YW. =) However, the ward missionary program seems to be gaining momentum and they have asked for Fred and my help. We are receiving training that our responsibility should be mainly in teaching and the burden of finding is supposed to be on the shoulders of the auxiliary presidencies. Am I ever ecstatic to exchange those roles! Teaching is in my comfort zone--"strangers" are not. We now have Sis. missionaries in our area. I have to admit I miss the Elders, but this may give me the opportunity to go on splits, which would be a fantastic experience.

We went to a thrift store yesterday, after we finished cleaning, to see if we could find a treasure. Fred found a vacuum that he spent the evening cleaning and fixing in the garage. I found an old frame and a picture easel that I am going to refurbish for my displaced picture of Christ. Eden found some lounge wear, Abe found a fresh notepad, Lily and Sophie found a pair of pants and the family found a few movies that fit our different interests. I wouldn't say there were any real treasures among the findings but it was enjoyable just being together on the hunt.

We haven't gotten any more snow since our white out, but it has been COLD and rainy a lot. The day it snowed I tried to be a considerate mom and ran down to the school in the car to pick up my little girls because they were worried about their new suede boots getting ruined that morning. In big, white wonderland, I was not a welcome site and Lily and Sophie complained all the way out to the car about how they wanted to walk home. Most of the snow had melted by the next day, but I didn't dare show up with the car to ruin their day. Needless to say were put out and wanted to know why I didn't pick them up. Sometimes I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle.=)

With Mikayla gone and Eden being the socialite that she is, date nights for Fred and I are pretty hit and miss lately, but we squeezed in a quicky between Eden's play practice and Tip Off volunteering. Abe ended up holding down the fort for 30 minutes between Eden leaving and our returning, which is weird to me that he is nearing that age of responsibility. I really think the change in him is going to blow Jordan's mind when he gets home. So many things change in two years.

Eden has a stake Priest/Laurel Formal this Friday. She is excited and planning on wearing one of Mikayla's dresses but she wants a different jacket as she says the bolero that I originally made to go with it is too restrictive. With her animated body language, most things are going to be too restrictive! =) I've tried to tell her that if she focuses on just acting like a refined lady, the jacket would probably be just fine, but no matter how I wish and dream, and despite the fact that Grandma Higginson's picture is on my piano as a reminder, I still haven't achieved refinement, so where she is supposed to learn the art, I don't know. Thus, I guess we'll be shopping this week. I'm a little nervous because she is so petite that even with her tallest heels the dress still drags on the floor and I'm hoping she doesn't trip on it while she's dancing, or that someone else doesn't. It's a fun activity and a great environment, so I'm excited for her.

Not much else is going on. We all miss Jordan and Mikayla every minute of every day and are proud of them just as often.

Quote of the week: "Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them." --A.A. Milne--

From Elder Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Jan 16, 2012 at 2:41 PM


Mi Dear Familia Bloomsqueeks,
     First I will answer Dallas´s question,  I have been trying this week to think of a specific experience that I have had in my mission with scripture mastery, I could not think of any mind boggleing experiences but I have come up with quite a few, in situations which investigators or less actives have been struggleing with different topics of the gosple and I was able to share with them 1 Nefi 3:7.  Saying that God loves us so so much and has given us commandments to help us.  He has a perfect knowledge of everything that exists and never has or never will give us any commandment that we can not acomplish.  Sometimes commandments are difficult, but not impossible and we will be blessed even grater for keeping them.

   Now to Yall,  this week has felt long but very rewarding,  we found 6 new investigators this week and 4 of them have lost family member in the last 2 weeks.  1 of them does not believe in the bible or Jesus and 1 of them is on a drug addiction recovery program as we speak.  They are all in very humble circumstances and have been very excepting to what we have been sharing with them.  

  Elder Weaver and I have had a goal to teach 20 lessons to people this week,  It doesn´t sound like very many but believe you me it has helped push us we were able to acomplish 19 so we will take another wack at it this week.  

    So good news I got the shoes in which I am wearing right now.  Thank you so much I feel like if I were on top of the Empire State Building and it started growing but I fell of and fell for 24.35 seconds and right when I was about to his the ground a giant flamingo swooped down and caught me and gave me a piece of Red Vine Licorice 3 times the size of a 1foot ruler.  You know what I mean.

   So Changes are comming up this week but we had interviews last week with president and have hints that Elder Weaver and might be together for at least one more change, which would be terribly AWESOME,  you really have to meet him when he gets back I know you would love him.  If we do have another change here it would mean that I had five changes in this area.  I had five changes in my first area 1 change in another and then five changes here. SA coulll dude.  I really hope it is so I love this area and all the peope here.  Especially our bishop he is so cool.  He actually told us the other day that  David Artuletta got his Mission call and could possibly comming to the rancagua mission which is like an hour drive from here.  That would be tight.

 
   With your worry about your kids living to far away,  I think I will side with Lily and Sophie and just live at home forever...

Sorry there are no fotos this time I forgot my Camera, but for the next time I will be ready.

Love ya all Caleta
  Elder Jordan ...

High Stakes UNO looser

Remember those crazy college days? The stakes for the girls was 12 hours with a makeover from one of the guys.

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Mikayla
Date: Mon, Jan 16, 2012 11:46 AM
Subject: High Stakes UNO Loser

"Chow with his cute nails"

"There I Plant My Foot"

I was at the church this morning for a meeting that I thought I had (which I didn't) but I ran into our stake YW president (who I used to serve with) and she shared a sweet experience with me. She was driving past the Middleton sign which Jordan designed and built for his Eagle Scout project and in her mind's eye she saw him there working on the sign. Of course that brought tears; that sign is Jordan to me. Another sweet friend was standing nearby and quite a few people were in the foyer so I was feeling a little self conscious (though I should be used to that by now) but I wondered out loud if I would ever get to the point where I can hear the names of my children who are away from home, without bursting into tears and both of these sweet sisters immediately responded, "You won't!" It wasn't extremely encouraging, but I felt like I was in exceptionally good company.=) How I love my dear friends and my children!!! Today while I was writing Jordan's missionary letter Mikayla got online and chatted with me (it doesn't get much better than that for a Mom!=)

Enough blubbering, ready for some FUN news. One of Mikayla's close friends and the son of one of mine got his mission call this week to Antafagosto, Chile! My friend called right after her family read it to her son (he is in Virginia in the military right now) because she was so excited. She said he cried. I told her Jordan did too. What a neat memory. I am so excited for him. Though not close, Jordan is in the same country but I have a nephew who recently returned from the same mission and is now married and expecting a little baby which will  make me a "Great" Aunt.  Exciting times! 

My dear cousin (who I roomed with for a semester at college) over 20 years ago  called me this week from the BYU campus where she has just re-enrolled and was walking to class thinking about our good ol' days. I am SOOO excited for her and proud of her for taking that opportunity while she is living in Provo, but I won't lie--I wanted so bad to be there with her. It made me all weepy. Jeffrey R. Holland said, "God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as he always has. But he can't if you don't pray, and he can't if you don't dream. In short, he can't if you don't believe." I'm still working on all of that. One day.

I bought my girls the new Jane Eyre movie for Christmas and decided to read the book again before watching it... again... (for the fourth time). I haven't read it since high school, but It's been awhile since a book has dug it's claws into me this deep. Reading is a reward for me--something I do EVERY night in bed or while I eat lunch or after finishing a task that needs ulterior motivation. The other day I woke up in the morning and read for hours instead of doing any of my responsibilities--without even "earning" it! I couldn't help it. =) It's hard to say if I am loving it so much because I am so drawn to the movies or if I was drawn to the movies because I enjoyed the book, but at this point they are so intertwined that it is hard for me to judge them independently. Call me a romantic, but I just really, REALLY like the story. Of all the literary heroine's that I aspire to become like, Jane is definitely near the top of the list. There are two lengthy quotes from my reading this week that are so emboldening and inspiring that I have been almost giddy with their power and eloquence.

"...Reason sits firm and holds the reins, and she will not let the feelings burst away and hurry her to wild chasms. The passions may rage furiously, like true heathens, as they are; and the desires may imagine all sorts of vain things; but judgement shall still have the last word in every argument, and the casting vote in every decision. Strong wind, earthquakeshock and fire may pass by, but I shall follow the guiding of that still small voice which interprets the dictates of conscience." (Jane Eyre--Chapter 19) 

"Who in the world cares for you? or will be injured by what you do?" "I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad--as I am now. Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptations: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth--so I have always believed; and if I cannot believe it now, it is because I am insane--quite insane: with my veins running fire, and my heart beating faster than I count its throbs. Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by: there I plant my foot." (Jane Eyre--chapter27)

Some meat to sink teeth into this week! Rudyard Kipling said, "Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind." Aaah--so true!

Our Weekly Highs and Lows for Mikayla

++

From Mikayla

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Mikayla
Date: Sun, Jan 15, 2012 at 12:38 PM
Subject: Dear Peepz

This week was full of excitement. Luckily Tulula hasn't died yet, but she is looking a little pale, there isn't much sun here! My first big exam is on Friday, but I have everything all mapped out because of my time management class so it is really helping me out! It really feels weird living by myself and realizing that even though I thought I would feel a freedom of independence here, this earth won't let you do it, because people are so bound to their physical needs that they can't truly be free. Maybe that's why we fast (or one reason) because it frees you and that is a big reason for the plan of happiness!

Anyway I feel like I'm going to start budgeting better dang it I'm in a vicious cycle and can't get out! Eden MAKE A BUDGET NOW!!! You won't magically want to start doing it when you actually need one!

...

Our apartment is in the midst of a prank war with 10 and so far we've managed to steel their Arizona flag, their painting or Kramer and their xbox remotes... their best prank was to unfriend us all on facebook and then promptly re request to be friends... Lame I know! We took a bunch of pictures with their flag so we can post them on facebook so they think we still have it when really it's sitting in a bag in their freezer haha... 

So how have you all been doing? I'm awaiting to hear from sophie and lily(sorry I forgot your emails). Now you all basically have your own rooms I just realized(except Sophie and Lily, but I doubt you guys would want that anyway... it's prolly overrated).

Love you all,

Mikayla

Playing Mario Kart

From Elder Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 2:43 PM

Mi hermosa familia,
      This week has been swell, very busy.  On tuesday president told the whole mission to stay in their house and deep cleen, very deep clean, including painting, getting rid of greese stains and all other sort of wonderous types of things.  He told us to wake up, don´t do exercises don´t study,  don´t go eat lunch with the members.  Just clean until it is done.  Needless to say our house is now emaculate ha ha.  We repainted, scrubed till our fingers were raw and sorted and organized. 
   Wednesday we got permission to go to the temple,  and it was really amazing it has been almost a year since I last went and this time I understood every word.  It is a funny thing learning a language sometimes you get down on your self because you don´t think you know it that well and then when you have something to measure your progress, it opens your eyes a little bit more.
  Friday we had a leadership meeting with president, he showed us a clip of the mens 4*1 swimming relay in the olympics of 2008 he talked about preparation, endurance, and strengh, but most of all he talked about  belief and will.  In this race the american team, everyone was saying, was fast.  But the French team was going to blow them out of the water.  In each sprint, the americans were behind about 3 to 4 feet.  Until the last swimmer Jason Leezac got in the water,  he was behind the whole time until at the end he sped up and barly won by a couple hundreths of a second.  He actually beat his own personal best by a whole second.  Which in short distances like these is lightning.   President continued by saying our faith and our will is an incredible thing, we just need to make sure we are investing it in the right places.  Which reminds me of a tight quote I can´t remember who said it but it goes like this.  "Whether you think you can or you think you can´t, you´re right."   To answer your question about district leader, there isn´t really a time limit.  I´m here till they kick me out ha ha.  But I love it so I´m hoping thats not to soon.
Mikayla school is so fun, looks like you already found that out.  I know it will be so totally wicked in a righteous type of way. 
  I will think about Dallas´s question and email you about it next week.
My shoes haven´t gotten here yet but I am hoping on this friday,  I dost gotst me fingas crosst.  The faithfull boys that I have on right now are still holding true.  So no worries yet.
 This week is going to be AWESOME I just know it!!!
I love you all a billion times over
Love Elder ...

Hollywood's Got Nothing on These!

I got this great frame from my sister but it needed the perfect picture. I finally found it--my maternal Grandma and Grandpa during their engagement. My grandma would probably be mortified that it is front and center on my piano, but I love it and think every grandchild should be able to have this vision of their grandparents. It's ideal and real.

I'm just waiting for another perfect frame for this picture of my paternal Great Grandma and Grandpa.

"My Little Baby's All Grown Up, and...and Savin' China"

Wednesday night Abe helped me set the table and we realized that we could move the table closer to the wall because we're down to six place settings. It wasn't a fun realization--Abe was doing the frowny face but our permanent occupancy is definitely dwindling.

Fred and I left a little after 5AM Monday morning to take Mikayla down to BYU-I. We spent the day moving her in and doing all of the shopping that accompanies getting set up on your own and following her I-Group around to the different activities. The highlight for me was the President's welcome which was held in the I Center auditorium which was modeled after the conference center (only seats 500 less). I love the spirit that accompanies those addresses. It makes leaving a child behind bearable. We felt the same when we took Jordan down.

Mikayla was overwhelmingly excited and socially drained by the time we went back to our hotel that night so we finished up everything the next day, Fred and I dragging it out to the bitter end and being the ultimate clingy parents. We did get to go to the Rexburg temple while we were there which was such a blessing and helped us feel perspective, but saying goodbye isn't any fun!

We have all been missing our Angel Maid. We have spent the past few days taking down Christmas and reorganizing our home. Everyone has been a bit dependent on Eden to "fill in the gap", which she is working so hard at. Wednesday she helped me work most of the day--offered to take Olive and the twins on a walk, went on their scavenger hunts and helped me with dinner without being asked to do any of it. She is usually my little bedroom hermit so I was quite proud of her and grateful for her support. It has ebbed my emotions numerous times during these transitory days, while missing my girl......and boy.

Mikayla has called or texted or chatted with us several times every day. We hope our needy selves don't inhibit her studies, which she is already heavily immersed in on day 3. There is nothing like college to test your swimming skills.=) She's fresh, so at the moment she's loving the mental laps and she already has a date for a weekend with a boy she met in the bookstore, where they were both looking for pictures of Christ. Cute. We're so excited that she is having fun and being blessed to keep learning. That is such a privilege!

Mikayla's Kitchen

Mikayla's Bedroom

Mikayla's Apartment Complex

Mother/Daughter

Father/Daughter

Parting Shot

The Bed and Breakfast Fred and I Stayed at

Rexburg Temple

Furniture Covers, decorating in progress  and a new arrangement for a New Year

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Mikayla
Date: Thu, Jan 5, 2012 at 3:44 PM

Oh My goodness! I love the arrangement!  Why did you guys not think of this before? I am so glad that Eden is being the amazing girl she is! Keep at it Eden! Your the oldest now! You guys looked like you were having sooo much fun! Sorry about the choppy call, our apartment isn't good for Skype. As for school, it's not so bad! People are always doing homework but everyone just kinda plays and works at the same time... which means yes we are always doing homework, but we are also having lots of fun! It's not so bad, they jump right into stuff the first day, so it's kinda like having a full time job.

So I've been trying to take your advice dad, I have been slacking a little because yesterday was my full day and i was doing school work from like 8 to 12 (this includes me and Tessia esprkinin Spanish for a few hours and throwing insults out to each other and playing Mario Kart (I lost every time because everyone just tried to kill me) and then hanging out with some really funny people like a guy we call chow how apparently got kicked out of china for not being communist enough and got sent to the "evil America" haha he is so funny. Anyway, you guys sound like your partying it up! Keep doin it!

From Elder Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Jan 2, 2012 at 2:57 PM

Dearest Funny Animated Mazing Inteligante Lumpy Yahoos,
     Wow it is 2012 and I come home at the end of this year, isn´t it weird how time runs super fast.  It is so crazy how you guys don´t have any snow there, we don´t have any snow here either.... um.
So I have made some new years resolutions and here they are, to finish the Book of mormon in spanish, all the missionary library and the new testament,  You will have to ask me how I am doing the next time we chat on mothers day.
 Love you all,
Elder ...

Fotos are one of the regular amazing sunset here in chile, luckily I just had my camera on me.

From Elder Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Dec 26, 2011 at 2:13 PM

Dear Bloomy toons,
          What a wonderful thing it was to talk to all of yall,  you could see that I just couldn´t stop smiling.  I love you all so much.  My Christmas was incredible for that very reason.  I hope you continue having a good holiday season.  Tell everyone up at the ranch I say hi and that I love them and give Caden a big huge hug for me. My bishop also wanted to wish you all a merry christmas and to tell you hi. Love ya bunches and bunches.
Elder ...

PICTU
Me and Bishop
Me and Tomas
Me tomas and Ricky they are brothers and the family we had christmas dinner with
Me and Sayudi, she is the one I was telling you about
SNOWWWW (reconstituted from "snow seeds" sent in Christmas package)