"Never Check Your Religion at the Door"

This week has been full, but the previous week was A WHIRLWIND!!!

Last Sunday, after 5-1/2 years, the stake YW president, who I served with, was released and my children's beloved high school math teacher was called. She bore her testimony at Stake Conference which was powerful and reverently humorous all at the same time. I am so happy that Eden has the privilege to have worked both with Sis. Fisher and now with Sis. Harris on the youth committee. I think both women will add to her testimony of this gospel, but in completely different ways.

Last Thursday Eden auditioned for and made Premiere Singers, which means an additional evening of choir in Ontario for her. I hope it's not a mistake to let her get so immersed and that it doesn't interfere too much with school and work and family, but she loves it and I think it is good for her. She has a pretty voice and it's an excellent, uplifting outlet for her.

Last Friday was, of course my birthday. Fred took the day off, let me sleep in, got the kids up and ready for school and brought me breakfast in bed. Then he and Mikayla took over my daily task list (cleaning the house and walking Olive) in the morning while I leisurely got ready for the day. The rest of the afternoon Fred spent working on house projects with me (which usually means he does most of the work and I hand him things=). Then, for the second year in a row, my darling missionary son managed to have a gift, sent all the way from Chile, arrive on the exact day. I can't help but think that there are greater forces at work, because it means so much to me, but it certainly made my day. "El Principito", which is the Spanish version of "The Little Prince", is now sitting on my bedside table with an English version of the book beside it and will be a treasure. In the evening Fred, Mikayla, Eden and I attended " Les Miserables", which will need it's own new paragraph.

We bought tickets for Les Miserables many, many months ago and have been highly anticipating it ever since. Fred and I saw it probably 15 years ago at the Morrison Center and were absolutely inspired. The 10th Anniversary Concert has remained one of my favorite videos ever. The plot deals with hard things and hard times and even those few years ago, some of those things were not fun to wade through in the musical. I remember Fred keeping his eyes down for one scene because of the costuming, so we anticipated that again, but felt that it was worth the wade. However, apparently the play was "updated" at it's 25th Anniversary, and at least in the production that we saw on Friday, was interjected with some unpardonable vulgarity that we weren't prepared for and which was appalling. I was so frustrated and disappointed! The musical talent was incredible (some of the best that I have ever seen or heard on any recording of the play). The theater details were extremely impressive. The uplifting parts were riveting and incredibly moving, but even so, days later, the experience feels overshadowed by the completely unnecessary, and highly offensive material, which I am sure Victor Hugo never intended to be detailed and highlighted as the focus of his compelling story about light rising from darkness. It's sad, because so much of it was so good. Liz and Nate (and "half their ward") attended the same night as us. Ben and Renee had tickets for their family the following night but when they heard about the content they took the financial loss ($500 worth) and didn't attend. They inspire me. Liz had made it possible for most of us to get tickets at reduced prices through an acquaintance so she felt responsible and was furious. She called the box office and complained that nothing on any literature ever stated that the production was for "mature audiences" (incredible irony in that term), but was "professionally" blown off. I admire her for making a stand and for having the ability to keep her emotions under control when she does. I feel those same fiery passions, but often lose credibility face to face because I have never been able to stay composed and contain what I feel in an intelligent demeanor. It is getting more and more difficult to be in the world and not of the world as the worldly is now seeping into the cracks of even those things from which we used to gain inspiration. I grieve for that loss of innocence and reverence. There is so much that is still light and good out there, but It feels like our personal armor can never be taken off anymore--I get a visual of that old seminary video in my mind. We always have to be on our guard, or we will be vulnerable when we least expect it. We are still playing our Les Mis CD in the car and singing it in our heads this week, but we can't help feeling cheated out of what we so wanted to be a beautifully, untainted memory.

Because of Liz I wrote the Morrison Center (better at self mastery with a pen in my hand, instead of a phone=), posted an article on Facebook and my personal blog and sent letters to the Editor to both newspapers in our area. I also e-mailed anyone who I thought would care about making a difference. Many of my friends (even those who didn't see the play) stepped up and contacted the Morrison Center. Most of us have received a form letter back that downplays the seriousness of our discontent. I understand my letter to the editor came out in The Statesman today because friends have called and are now writing in because of it. Even so, I can't imagine that we will make more than a drop in a bucket, out of the 15,000 patrons but we have to try. Thanks Liz for standing up first!

Saturday, Matt and his family came into town so we had a family get together at Ben's. As we drove up Ben was running around his yard, keeping Jared up in the air with a para-glider. Only Ben!=) It was a great visit and among the laughs were some opportunities to talk about some of life's challenges and trials. A few of us were even afforded a rare look into some of the emotional weights that Hyrum has to carry because of his job and it reaffirmed the admiration and love that I have for family, both immediate and extended. We really are all in this together and we need each other so much in order to keep moving forward with determination and hope. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such incredibly good, loving, genuine and generous family--both immediate and extended!

Jenna Jenkins (Aunt Marilyns daughter) e-mailed me last week, after hearing that Jordan was coming home on Tuesday, to let me know that her son was coming home from Rancaugua Chile, the same day, same flight. Jordan will probably see her and extended family in the Salt Lake airport when he changes flights. Sometimes this big, vast world seems very small and full of tender mercies.

Jordan's last letter home was titled "Signing Off"--that made me feel like waiting for Apollo 13 to regain contact. I'm still holding my breath. It will feel good to let it out again soon.

Quote of the week:
"We don't always know the details of our future. We do not know what lies ahead. We live in a time of uncertainty. We are surrounded by challenges on all sides. Occasionally discouragement may sneak into our day; frustration may invite itself into our thinking; doubt might enter about the value of our work. In these dark moments Satan whispers in our ears that we will never be able to succeed, that the price isn't worth the effort, and that our small part will never make a difference. He, the father of all lies, will try to prevent us from seeing the end from the beginning...The Lord loves you; that is why He has given you commandments and the words of prophets to guide you on your journey through life...The Lord wants you...to desire with all your heart to keep these standards and live by the gospel truths found in the scriptures. As you do this, you will see beyond the moment, and you will see your bright and wonderful future with great opportunities and responsibilities. You will be willing to work hard and endure long, and you will have an optimistic outlook on life. You will see that your life's road will lead you to the house of the Lord first and then to serve a full-time mission, representing the Savior wherever He will send you. After your mission you will organize and plan your life based on the same standards. Therefore, in your mind's eye you will see yourself entering the house of the Lord for an eternal marriage and family. Your priorities in life will change to match the priorities given to us by the Savior. And God will bless you and open the eyes of your understanding so you can see the end from the beginning..."--Dieter F. Uchtdorf

My new favorite talk of Elder Holland's (until conference weekend=)

My birthday project headboard (made from a discarded door)

B-day package from my mission (the Post Office wasn't very careful)

A mom's greatest gift!

B-day noodle bowls for dinner--YUM--thanks Mys for the recipe

43 Years YOUNG

"Breathed" out the dainty candle flame before I made my wish

Trying that again

Fall Decor gathered by the twins for my b-day

Hydrangeas and Pretty boxes. Can a guy get more romantic than that!

I LOVE TOPIARIES!

Making a Difference--One Voice at a Time

Dear Friends and Family,

Over the weekend, I attended the production of Les Miserables at the Morrison Center. Some of you may have also been there. If so, and if you were disturbed by some of the content, please continue reading and make a difference in our community.

Friday was my birthday. My husband, two teenage daughters and I had exceptional tickets, purchased months in advance, and were anticipating this experience with excitement.  I have read the book, have seen both anniversary concerts, and even attended the musical production when it came to the Morrison Center over 10 years ago, so I understand that the story deals with some heavy themes but never have I seen them treated with such blatant visual vulgarity.  We were extremely disappointed to find that this particular performance was filled with bawdy innuendo and graphic sexuality, yet nowhere in any advertising was it ever stated that the production was for “mature audiences". Without any sponsors warning, I am sure that many families were taken by surprise, as the house was filled with children the evening that we attended. Most of the musical talent was incredible. The theater details were impressive. The scenes that remained unsoiled were beautifully stirring, but even so, days later, the experience feels overshadowed by what I and many of my family and friends felt was completely unnecessary and highly offensive material, and which was never portrayed, in detail, in Victor Hugo’s compelling story about light rising from darkness.  After hearing of those added “liberties”, my brother who had paid $500 in order to introduce his family to some cultural entertainment, decided not to attend, and since a refund was refused, had to take the large monetary loss. I realize that this was a personal choice, and in my opinion, a noble gesture on their part, but such an unnecessary circumstance.

I realize that everyone has different filters and opinions and though I would love to see Boise embrace more “family friendly” cultural experiences, I am speaking out in hopes that others will join me and by doing so the Morrison Center will be influenced to assure future audiences, of which I am hoping to be a part, better content clarity of the entertainment for which we are purchasing tickets, some of which are a lofty investment in entertainment.  I would like the ability to make an educated and informed decision, something that was not available, even with all of my former Les Miserables exposure, at this last production. My heart goes out to those patrons who didn’t have as much personal experience with the content as I, but uninformed, chose to bring their little children, believing the production was family friendly because of the more popularly available and inspiring music.  That couldn’t have been a pleasant experience. I had two teenage children accompanying me, but even at their older ages I felt violated as a patron and as a parent.

I take responsibility for being exposed to some disturbing lyrics, which are contained primarily in two songs and right or wrong, we made the conscious choice to wade through those in order to be inspired by much of the remaining 38.  Because of the accents and also because we are used to using the fast forward button on our music CD, I did forget how awful and jarring some of the references really were but the added portrayals of this specific performance, were unanticipated and unpardonable.

I contacted the Morrison Center, as did some of my friends and family, but, because they have only received a handful of complaints out of the 15,000 people who attended the production this weekend, our concerns are not being taken seriously.

We are merely asking that better promotional literature be made available, that makes apparent those audiences for which the production is best suited, so that every prospective patron can make an educated and informed choice.

If you feel similarly, please contact the Morrison Center director at the e-mail address below and add your voice to ours. There is strength in numbers.

Rachel Bloomquist

*Contact address to file concerns: jamespatrick@boisestate.edu

Elder B... Signing Off

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan
Date: Mon, Sep 24, 2012 at 12:37 PM

Fam. Brawshkee, 
That is how a 3 year old girl says my name in my ward.

This is my last letter home, I will tell you about this coming week in person.

It hasn´t really hit me that I was leaving until this week. It has been a good week, sometimes at night time as we were walking back to the house people would stop us in the street to talk to us. One lady, yelled across the street from her guard station, "God loves you guys" It is always the little things that make the big difference, I think.

On Tuesday Elder Arnold, came and spoke with us. I don´t know if you remember but either last conference or the conference before he talk about how when his wife was young she had the job of making sure the cows didn´t get into the field of grain. There was a fence separating them but even so one of the cows was always sticking his head through the fence. One day she found that the cow had broken all the way through and had been eating grain for quite some time and was bloated. She went to find her dad but by the time they made it back the cow had passed away.

The cool part was that we heard it first hand from his wife.

Through two years of studying I have gained a great testimony of the individual and incredible love that our father in Heaven has for each one of us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Sure sinning is fun, that is why everyone gives in, but it is fake, and does not last. A spark also produces an immense amount of heat, but for less than a fraction of a moment, and will not suffice to give us warmth.

I am always so inspired and motivated to hear from president or the general authorities, I am so excited for conference with all y'all. We are going to have a blast.

I love you
Elder B...

Autumn Around the Corner

Sunday, Sept. 16:
It was stake conference today and so we are blessed with all of these extra afternoon hours that we aren't accustomed to having. It feels relaxing and peaceful. I have been pondering a statement that our stake President quoted from Pres. Howard W. Hunter this morning. "If our lives and our faith are centered on Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong." I looked it up online and found that the quote continues with..."On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right." It made me reflect on yesterday, and other discouraging days, as Fred and I spent all morning and afternoon in yard maintenance, mowing, edging, weed-wacking, hoeing and cleaning, then sat down to talk about our temporal dreams, which sometimes feel SO FAR AWAY and I cried. As our family grows the house feels smaller and smaller and fitting everyone and their things into bedrooms gets more and more challenging. I can't help but think about my children coming home with families of their own and having no place to stay, as those days are just around the corner. Sometimes these farm girl yearnings of mine get so strong that I drive past open fields and my heart actually constricts for want of space. But, Fred keeps reminding me life is here and now--it's all around us--wherever we are, in whatever circumstances and Pres. Hunters quote helped me to once again cling to the fact that only Christ can bring peace--not farmers fields--not space, not quiet, country places--unless I have righteous perspectives and continual daily diligence in the things that really matter. Sometimes that daily part gets difficult when it doesn't seem to be making a dent in our dreams but maybe we have the wrong dreams.

In other areas of challenge, Abe has a science teacher this year who has assigned an intense bug euthanizing/ collecting project. Being raised in this "catch and release" family mentality his conscience just can't deal with the thought and he finally divulged as much to me last week. I offered to go to battle for him, if he was willing to stand behind the consequences, which he claimed he was. But, after a few diplomatic conversations with the teacher and ultimately the Principle, we have not been able to alter the curriculum, just given leeway to use insects that are already dead, but which must be in pristine condition and which must consist of 30 different specimens. And so we have to face a crossroads. Is this goal plausible? Do we support his possible failure of this particular assignment (which is huge) if it's not--due to convictions? Do we just make our best effort, in the confines that we have and hope it's good enough? Or, do we act against conscience and give in to the pressure in educations name. I can imagine you know which way I lean and of course my leaning encourages my son. Our stake president related a story today about bees and advice that his father always gave him (until a particularly bad "swarming" experience) that if he would leave the bees alone, they would leave him alone. He compared that to the world and told us that we most definitely cannot have that mentality. We must be constantly engaged, as Captain Moroni was, in defending ourselves from the enemy. It gave me courage to keep making a stand (even though this is personal and not necessarily doctrinal) and Pres. Holland's most recent YSA Fireside talk is helping me to determine the appropriate way to in which to do that. I don't enjoy being on the outside, or feeling isolated in my opinions. I don't want to be fanatical; I appreciate that everyone has their different perspectives, but my convictions often feel unique and even so, I have to follow them if I want inner peace. When a child is courageous enough to stand up for that same reason, I certainly can't get weak in the knees and I have found that the best solution to that problem is just to humble myself and kneel down. Having done that, we are moving ahead, conscience in tact, so if any of you find any dead insects--I know, lovely thought-- (6 legs no stingers), in good condition, pin them to a cardboard and save them for us. They may just become quite valuable and you might accumulate some serious bargaining prowess, because we are going to need all the help we can get! =)

The weather is still beautiful here, though the nights and mornings are getting cooler and lasting longer, and I can feel Autumn around the corner. I'm not looking forward to the chill outside but am longing for the internal warmth of the upcoming holidays. What a perfect time to be preparing to be together as a family.

I will write two more letters to my darling missionary boy--he will probably only be able to send us one more back. I will miss his letters, but no longer will I have to miss him!=) "So happy". I will try and restrain myself at the airport, so that I won't embarrass him too much, but my heart will be overflowing. I can imagine that his will be considerably pulled as he will have left a little bit of it in Chile...we want it there.=) I mentioned to Fred that I was arranging for Jordan's official release through the stake executive secretary a few days ago and he got suddenly and overwhelmingly choked up. As happy as I am to be getting my boy back, I know it won't come without being accompanied by hard things. That, I don't look forward to.

Quote of the Week:
"So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. and never mix up your right foot with your left. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed..."--Dr. Seuss

From Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 2:28 PM

My dear calm and quiet Bloom... family,

LILY you are the crazy one!!!! ah ha bet you weren´t expecting that one. This week has been a good one.  The weather has been a little weird in the mornings the sky is full of clouds and it is freezing cold but about 3:00 there is not a cloud in the sky and we are frying as we walk. But all is good this weekend has started the fiestas patrias. It is like the 4th of July for us but they celebrate for an entire week dancing cultural dances, making traditional food and eating BBQ everyday all day long. People are very patriotic here, if you are on a tall building, you can see thousands of Chilean Flags. It is actually pretty cool. On Saturday we had a ward party, we were in charge of decorating, and so of course it turned out splended. : ) Many people showed up and even a couple our investigators were part of the show in the evening. We played a bunch of typical Chilean games including tug of war, sack races and of course dancing the cueca, it is the Chilean national dance. We didn't dance of course but it is always fun to watch.

We found a family knocking doors that it iterested in learning more, there are 20 living in the same house, (cousins, aunts, nephews) a big family, which in not uncommon here. The couple that we are focusing on just had a little baby. They are super nice and are excited about learning more but we will see what happens. I love you a bunch times a bunch.

Love Elder ...

" When we talk about standards we aren`t talking about rules. Standards are requirement to have the Holy Ghost in our lives." --Elaine S. Dalton

Starting the Countdown...

I can't help myself--I've started counting down. As of today, Jordan has 21 more beautiful days in Chile! Last Tuesday we received his flight plans from his favorite missionary companion, who is now the executive secretary in the mission office. That was a FUN e-mail to to get! Mikayla asked me how excited I was and I told her that I haven't been this excited about anything since my babies were born. Just thinking about it literally raises my heart rate. I CAN HARDLY WAIT!!! My Georgie will be flying in to the Boise airport on October 2nd at 12:25 PM. All who are interested are certainly invited!

Sunday night there was a YSA broadcast fireside by Elder Holland. Fred, Mikayla and I watched it on the computer, and of course it was AMAZING! He spoke about standing for what we believe and at the same time making sure we are constantly making righteous judgments, not self righteous judgement. It was also about missionary work--isn't everything?!=)When it was over I marched right down the street and knocked on the door of a new YSA that I tried to see once and then have been procrastinating going back to. She was home and Fred, Mikayla and the twins were with me, so we had a nice, short visit.  It gave me courage to go back again--soon. Elder Holland has the gift and the power of the Spirit to compel me to action. I want to be like him when I grow up.=)

Eden got asked to Homecoming. The young man actually called Fred a few days before he asked her, to get his permission. We were both very impressed. On Friday he called to see if there was some time that Eden would be out of the house and requested permission to decorate her room. Getting her out of the house wasn't a problem (Eden always has somewhere to go=) but getting her room clean in anticipation was a whole other challenge. It all worked out though. I just used the wicked stepmother approach and told her she could go to the boys soccer game "IF" she finished her chores. Of course the wicked stepmother characterization stopped there and we made sure if was possible and that she had help. That night the young man showed up with a friend (Elder Grow's grandson) and spent 45 minutes blowing up balloons and spreading M&M's in every nook and cranny. It was fun to listen to Eden's response when she came home that night and walked up to her room. It was silence and then a dawning and then excitement. I'm a happy mom because the young man gave Eden plenty of time to find a dress and Eden is happy because he's a gentleman and has been a fun date before. He seems like a good kid.

Abe's charter school had a 7th Grade family outing at Christensen's Pond (which is a huge man made water slide pond engineered and maintained by a farmer for his family, but which he generously and often opens to the public. He doesn't charge a fee, but the groups that we have gone with have often asked for donations out of appreciation for his generosity. It would be a fun extended family outing some summer. The event did end on a melancholy note, however, for while we were watching the kids play in the water, we were also watching the farm crew harvest potatoes in the distant fields and soaking in that country goodness, when far out, Fred saw one of the fully loaded potato trucks back ends twist, while he was driving over the hilly terrain and then tip over completely. Somehow the cab stayed upright and so the driver was able to escape safely, but I am sure the truck and much of the loaded harvest were ruined. Here we were enjoying the generosity of the kindly farmer and his financial challenges had just been significantly altered. Life is just so full of so many hard things and so many beautiful things all going on simultaneously. I don't even know this man, but we sure felt both gratitude and sorrow for him that evening and still pray that things will work out to his benefit.

This week Young Artist choirs start and Abrahm is finally interested enough again to audition for Concert Choir, which is the touring group that Eden is a member of. He made it so "Terrific Tuesdays" will be starting again with 4 kids! We are trying hard to make them feel more like that than the "Terrible Tuesdays" that the older kids originally named them years ago when they were so much running. Eden will be auditioning for the highest choir, in front of that body, in the coming weeks, which will add another rehearsal day every week, if she makes it, but it is pure love with her so we'll make it happen somehow.

Stake conference is also coming up this weekend and I am sure we are in store for some amazing feasting--it always seems to be so readily available--so definitely a weekend to look forward to and then before we know if General Conference will be here. I have tried every avenue imaginable (other area priesthood leaders, friends with parents in the Tabernacle choir, even Jordan's old mission president) and have accumulated 2 priesthood tickets and 6 general session tickets. Not the utopia that I envisioned for our family vacation this year, but I am sure we can make it a positive experience nonetheless. I am especially disappointed that the boys won't be able to attend this priesthood session together (Jordan's first time back and Abrahm's first time ever), but I had no idea how difficult it was to get tickets so we are grateful for what we do have. I am sure that just being on temple square, for those of us who can't be inside the conference center, will be a spiritual experience. We'll just to have individual experiences instead of family ones.

Quote of the Week:
“If, then, I were asked for the most important advice I could give, that which I considered to be the most useful to the men of our century, I should simply say: in the name of God, stop a moment, cease your work, look around you.” ― Leo Tolstoy

7TH GRADE OUTING AT CHRISTENSEN'S POND:

PAINTING (for hours) THEIR "READING BOX":

LABOR DAY AT POWELL'S SWEET SHOPPE...:

...AND AT THE PADDLE BOATS AT JULIA DAVIS PARK:

...AND AT THE STATE CAPITOL:

 ...AND AT THE OREGON TRAIL OVERLOOK:

EDEN'S "INVITATION" TO HOMECOMING: