From Elder Jordan

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

From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Jul 30, 2012 at 2:44 PM

Querido Bloomanitas,

  This week has been great, we got a new ward mission leader assistant, and we have been planning some good activities that will bring the missionary to work in our ward.   Although they are great at befriending those that we bring to church.  I can´t remember if I told you last week but we have been working with less actives and help a family and an older lady return to church and the members were right by their side every step of the way making feel apart of the family.

  So this week we had interviews with president, once again it was nothing like President Laycock like the same quality just different brand I enjoyed it alot getting to know him, and while my companion was being interviewed by President, presidents wife Hermana Wright did a interview, get to know you out in the foyer.  She reminds me a bunch of you mom.  Their son has come to Chile for two weeks and came to play footbol with us today then he is going back to the states to finish up his Senior year of high school, I am starting to feel old.  Seeing Taylors baby kinda threw time out the window for me.  The last time I talked to him he was single up at school and now he is a papa.  Pure nuts is what it is.

   Last night we ran into a guy that seemed pretty smart he knew a lot about science and social systems and many other things, but he said that he didn´t not believe in god but he didn´t have a belief in god either.  He tryed explaining the reasons and the logic, but in the end,  I was confused.  I have learned to love so much that the church and the gosple is simple there is nothing complicated about it.  It doesn´t need to be explained by brilliant minds or high end scholars.  You can know it is true by a still small voice.

  Cultural note futbol and pingpong are huge here, I love futbol and hope we can play some when I get back and I have been practicing my ping pong skills because there are ping pong tables everywhere in the parks.  And we bought paddles to play on our break.  Super fun.   

I love you all bunches and bunches of muchness

Elder ...

me and my companion on peruvian independance day

my sector from a tall building

playing soccer

My greatest talent ¨the clover tounge

Highs and Lows

JULY 22:
This week has been incredibly high energy-high activity-and high stress but the rewards ended up being equivalent so it all evened out. Even so, I'm relieved to look forward to an upcoming, fairly clear calendar. For the past few weeks the Geo has been in and out of the mechanic shop in the frustrating quest to pass our emissions test before it became past due and our registration was revoked. After several "fixes" and more money than I can record without raising my blood pressure, the mechanics still couldn't get our engine light to go off, which is an automatic emissions failure. I believe in obeying the laws of the land, in being accountable and honestly responsible, in bearing my own weight in citizenship--I'm all blue in that vein--but when the letter of the law becomes ridiculous and the voice of reason seems to warrant a personal megaphone I can't help but put up an impassioned fight. So, after two failed tests and a past due date, I finally called the county emissions department and told him my concerns and frustrations. After many suggestions and a myriad of conversations he finally suggested that I apply for an Emission Hardship waiver. I was honest with him and told him we could afford to pay to continue searching for mechanical problems, it was just that I was sick and tired of paying for something that seemed to be of so little value to me. I asked him if he had a waiver for that!=) He was kind and helpful and understanding and held a lot of clout, so he walked me through the process of red tape (which took me two full days on the computer and phone) and then granted me a one year waiver. The same week, the brakes on our Suburban started grinding, so we had to have them replaced. On the way back from picking that up Fred asked if I had a couple of hundred dollars that he could throw out the window, just for fun--I didn't--I had already given it all to the mechanics.=) But, the timing was perfect because Mikayla called and asked us to pick her up from school sooner than planned and our waiver came in the night before the trip, so we were able to take the Geo down to get her and save the money on gas (though it was a miracle that Fred was able to pack all of her accumulated paraphernalia in that little trunk--he is truly amazing).

We're all so happy to have Mikayla home! 

Abe's birthday was on Friday and the pieces just seemed to fall into place to give us the opportunity to take the whole family to Roaring Springs. That day happened to be the one day of the year that Dr. Guymon makes extremely discounted tickets available to patients and family (1/3 the normal price) plus we had birthday date money for Abe and Mikayla saved up so we got to take advantage of that rare opportunity and had such an enjoyable day together.

Saturday morning was our stake Pioneer Day celebration but we were all so exhausted from the full week and our house was so neglected that we opted to sleep in a bit and then do Saturday cleaning instead so that we could be prepared for Sunday and still attend the last day of the Walker reunion that was opened up to extended family. Dana's family and our family were the only one's who joined in but we thoroughly enjoyed visiting and playing and eating with that big, fun group, especially having the opportunity to catch up with Mindy and Kevin, who live in Utah now.

The temple open house and dedication were announced this past week. The open house runs from Oct. 13--Nov. 10. A youth cultural celebration will be on Nov. 17 and the dedication will be Nov. 18. Fred and I will both be teaching in different joint auxiliary meetings next week to start gearing our ward up. It brings back memories of Trek and the spiritual preparation and time that went into getting us in the right mind set to have the spiritually, life changing experiences that we did. I feel a great desire to prepare myself and our family and our ward for what has the capacity for those same kinds of spiritual enlightenments for those of us who are already "converted" and eternal implications for those who we are inspired to invite. I am so thrilled at the opportunity to once again be in the House of the Lord, all together as a complete family, in preparation for and as foreshadowing of the goal which every other thing we do in this church is preparing us for. It is going to be profound.

Quote of the Week:

"Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth."--Henry David Thoreau 

JULY 29:

Fred and I spent the week preparing to teach in different combined auxiliaries this Sunday, during the last hour. I had a co-teaching assignment with a brother in our ward, who is also a ward missionary and one of our full time seminary teachers, in YM/YW and Fred had an assignment with the ward mission leader and Elders Quorum president in Priesthood/ Relief Society. Fred said his class went well. Of course, our seminary teacher did a good job in ours and as is always usual with me I felt like I prepared more than I had time to cover and felt rushed.  I'm sure I learned more than those who I taught, especially since I only had15 minutes. Fred taught about the importance of temple covenants in his class and I talked about individual spiritual preparedness in mine. I shared personal memories of the original announcement, open house and dedication of the Boise temple. I showed the youth my dedication ticket, endowment name tag, and bride's letter from the temple. I shared the story of my cousin Nancy's life and death and the miracle of her preserved temple recommend. I talked about my experience preparing for Trek and the difference it made in the spirituality and impact of the actual experience. I asked for a raise of hands for those who were in the area when the temple was originally dedicated and also for those who were involved in our ward's  Trek. In both instances there were only 3 hands. I can't believe the area and our ward has changed so much. So many youth have grown up and moved on. It made me feel melancholy. Of course I couldn't keep my emotions in check, which is so distracting and frustrating to me when I teach or contribute to a lesson, but I am learning to just accept the weakness, get over myself, and rely on the Spirit to compensate for my lack of composure, hoping that is what people will remember and not my awkwardness. It has been a good experience preparing, but I am glad to have that responsibility accomplished.

The Olympics started on Friday and like the dutiful addicts that we are, have spent the last two nights emerged in the impressive drama. As amazing as those physical accomplishments are--and often I am truly inspired by the talent--wouldn't it be an incredible thing if more of us had the kind of commitment and drive in spiritual mastery as many of the athletes have in physical mastery. It would be truly awe inspiring, I am sure, and then think of the potential if we, in balanced proportions, mastered both our bodies and our spirits so that our souls were perfected. We spend so much time here talking about how what is on the inside is more important that what is on the outside, but I am convinced that perfection will mean mastery of both and that our bodies will mirror our spirits and both will be ultimately beautiful when we truly understand their divine, united role and work accordingly. I have so much to do in both areas, but the beginnings of desire are there. For now, I will still be content to be inspired and awed from my couch and be grateful that though I don't have a perfectly toned body, it still works pretty well, without cortisone shots, surgeries, braces, tape and incredible pain. I don't envy the toll intense athleticism seems to take on the human body. =) 

My girls all leave for the greatly anticipated granddaughter party on Wednesday, and will be gone through Saturday. Fred, Abe and I are already cringing at the thought of having this quiet house to ourselves. Abe and I will have to go in search of adventure I suppose, while Fred is holed up at work, but I don't even know where to start!=) Abe did just get back from a Scout camp-over, so he may be alright with low key adventure--maybe we'll unplug the phone and computer and spend some hours reading together in the hammock...durig the day (gasp)--now that's my kind of adventure!...and Abe is usually pretty content with that pastime as well. )

Congratulations to Taylor and Aly, who had their baby on the 24th. At my request, he sent me all of the pictures that were taken that week of their experience. I can't believe he's a DADDY! I looked through all 200+ pictures and cried remembering him as a my sweet, little boy and most especially those incredible, life changing, personal experiences of becoming parents for the first time ourselves, and of my own sweet, little boy. BEST--DAY--EVER!=) It sure has been a journey and we've come a long way since those days 21 years ago. It just keeps getting better and better!

Quote of the week:

(This poem is said to have been inscribed on the wall of John Bunyan's church in Bedford, England in the 1600's. Pres. Kimball quoted it in several temple dedications in the 1970's and 80's, but I believe the authorship is unknown. I want the quote and the feeling in my home--LONG WAY TO GO!)

"Enter this door as if the floor within were gold;
And every wall of jewels all of wealth untold;
As if a choir in robes of fire were singing here;
Nor shout nor rush but hush … for God is here."

ABRAHM'S SCOUT CAMP-OUT AT BLUE LAKE:

From Elder Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Jul 16, 2012 at 1:49 PM

Mi Querido 7 locos,

    This week has been wonderful, for some reason I only got Abe, Sophies and Lilys letter,  I am guessing that the internet is misbehaving again.

  Like I said I got changed last week and I am in the city again,  I love this ward as well.  I have to admidt it is nice to be in a ward with lots of members that assist.  Things seem to smooth more smoothly and there is more support for the investigators that come. There is an Hermano here that works for the airlines, so he is constantly traveling.  He just got back form New York, and this weekend will be in Peru.  He says next week he will be in California and asked me if there is anything I missed such as food wise from the states, I told him Butterfinger, he said he would stop by Costco and get a couple, woot woot.  We are working a bunch with the ward list, to find less actives and inactives.  There are 14 pages of names so we are pretty set.  It seems to funcioning well.  When ever we have a visit fall, we look at the list for streets that are close by.  More than have of the names on the list are no longer there and a few have passed away more than ten years ago, needless to say it is a little un up to date.  One of the ladies that we passed by told us that the person we were looking for no longer lived there, but igual we could come in and share our message with her.  Come to find out at the end of the lesson it was really here but she was having troubles and told us she was some one else.  She wants us to come back.

  My companion is super awesome he is from the Amazon, the Jungles of Peru.  He tells me how they would go out all the time to hunt guinue pigs and pigieons for supper.  He has been bitten two times by deadly snakes, surrviving barely.  He is super funny and we get along wonderfully.  His name is Elder Ramirez.

  Other than that I have been doing super good.   I hope you have una semana terrrrrrrrrrrible BAKÁN!!!

I love you,

Elder ...

From Elder Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan
Date: Thu, Jul 23, 2012

Dear Family,

       This has been a good week, we continue finding new people that are falling out of the woodwork.  And they are progressing as well.  I have found the best method of finding new people to teach is working with the members, helping them feel involved and haveing them give us references.  On thursday we had zone class and I got the shirt you sent me.  Day made right there.  My favorite color and everything. Briliant I tell you Genious I say.

The weather has been crazy here, a couple of days ago it was 80 degrees outside and these last couple days it has been around 40. Definantly bipolar.

We had a Family Home Evening on Saturday with a less active family and almost all of the kids in the neighbor hood.  There was one kid 12 years old.  That spoke perfect spanish and english. It was fun to talk to him.  But for some reason it is always super hard for me to speak english to latinos, my brain just spits out spanish so it ends up in a mix of mostly giberish.

  We have had some cool experiences working with the ward list.  We contacted a house trying to find a lady, the person that came out said that the person no longer lived there.  But that she was baptised a long time ago and was trying to find a way to come back to church but she didn´t know how.  God works in marvoulous ways,  he knows perfectly each one of his children.

    There are a couple members here in my ward that were the first to be baptised here in Chile.  It is cool to hear there stories of how they have seen the church grow.  

  Today we had a Barbaque on top of a twenty story building.  WHeph that is a fantastic view.  You could probably see for miles if it weren´t for the smog, but still in credible.

I love ya giante heaps of lots amounts,

Elder ...

A suit I found here

My Birthday shirt

Me and my companion 

From Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan
Date: Mon, Jul 9, 2012 at 3:51 PM

Dear bunch of Bloomafellers,
   The time wanes short, I feel like i did when I would run the mile in track, when I came to the home strech, even though I was tired and beat, I always felt like I had a boost of energy to finish strong.  I love the mission, it is just like president Laycock would tell us, "the mission is the University of Life".  We had changes today and I got changed out of the mountains and back into the city.  I feel so blessed to have had that opportunity to be up their.  This sector I am in right now I feel will be my last.
   This week was sa-weet we got to meet our new mission president, he is not like President Laycock but he is definantly called of God, that I could feel.  He read a scripture to us Deutaronamy 1:1-2   Before you read more of this letter read the scripture. Stop reading Now, ummmm I said stop...like right now.... your still reading this aren´t you.
That same journy took the children of israel 40 years,  I marvel at that so long. But it shows how patient our father in Heaven is in helping us learn in the very best way.  He didn´t let them reach the promise land and progress until they were ready to listen and obey.
 So all this week in the morning I have been making banana pancakes, and an hermana gave us homemade plum jam RIIIICOooo.  I have been trying to eat more healty lately.
The other night we came down to the city to do a sector slam, but ended up helping some guys who were stuck a foot and a half deep in mud.  It was probably a sight four americans in white shirts and ties diging/playing in the mud to help them get out.  That is what I love about it.  If someone were to write a job description it would be help people, so that youre happy and theyre are happy invite people to learn about someone that can save them forever. Cool or no?
Mother you have permission to take what ever you want from my letters.
Yes it is weird to have winter in July.
IdadLmomOmikaylaVedenEabeYlilyOsophieU
love
Elder...

Happy Campers

The Fourth of July holiday was festive and rewarding as holidays always are with family. It is the perfect small town holiday as well because our entire town was bustling with activities and it is small enough to walk everywhere. The weather was gorgeous and Chris and Lori and Ben and Renee brought their families in the evening for a BBQ and Fireworks.

We are getting really geared up here for the Boise Temple Open House and accompanying Youth Spectacular (which will include 6-7,00 and Dedication. We're so EXCITED that President Monson is coming! There is no exact date yet because they are having some difficulties finding appropriate venues and have asked us to pray for paths to clear, but for sure during the last quarter of the year so Jordan will be here.

This week Fred leaves for Santa Fe on business. I don't think I'll every be able to anticipate those trips with excitement until we are in a position where I can accompany him. I miss him when he's gone. Next week Eden will be gone for Boise Youth Spectacular. The following week Mikayla comes home, and the week after all the girls go up to Donnelly for the Granddaughter Party which they are so looking forward to and Abe is already feeling lonely about. The summer is really starting to move, but it's all good (except Fred leaving) so we're happy campers (especially since camping is actually not involved. =)

Quote of the week:
“Do not allow yourselves to be made to feel inadequate or frustrated because you cannot do everything others seem to be accomplishing. Only you and your Father in Heaven know your needs, strengths, and desires. Around this knowledge your personal course must be charted and your choices made.” ― Marvin J. Ashton

Fourth of July Family Festivities

Waiting for the Parade to Pass By

Eden's Float

Miniature Horses

and of Course Candy

In Love with Middleton

Waiting for the Derby Car Races

Snappers

Enjoying my Children

Waiting for the Cousins

Trying--Unsuccessfully--to Separate Buckets for Chairs

Handyman Ingenuity (Drill a hole--Insert Power Hose)

Ta-Da! That's Where Jordan's Trek Bucket Was

Firing Up the Grill

Three is no Crowd

Good Company

Good Food

Sweet Cale

Good Friends

Our Baby Birds Who Entertained Us

Cale Enjoying the Raspberry Patch

The Big Boys

Bliss

Family Fireworks

City Fireworks

Other Fireworks (Ben said not to worry-- He was sitting directly behind and had the safety on old Betsy)

Secret 4th of July Messages

While the grown-ups were visiting at the 4th of July BBQ, the little girl cousins were designing and delivering secret messages. They were all, I'm sure inadvertently, left behind at our home so I promised to publish them so the owners could "keep" them forever.=)