Minute By Minute Course Corrections

I have had the Atonement at the forefront of my mind this week, partly because my weaknesses have seemed to loom in front of me, partly because I just finished re-listening to conference again, but mostly because I experienced a profound visual and emotional reminder of it's tangible truth last Sunday. Because it was a 5th Sunday, our Bishop had all the ward members, except the Primary, combine for the last hour and invited a missionary couple who are serving locally in the Addiction Recovery program to come speak to us. I admit that I anticipated the lesson with a detached interest, thinking it would be a reference lesson to gain information that didn't pertain personally but would be good to know. (By the way--that is never a good approach to a lesson--no matter what the topic=) What I didn't expect was the young man the couple asked to assist them with the lesson who was probably in his late 20's or early 30's and had gone through the program seeking help for "multiple addictions" some of which had begun in Junior High. He was what they called a "facilitator" for the program here. He had just recently had all of his temple blessing restored and had brought with him a powerful testimony and a visual confirmation, standing in front of us, of a beautifully clean and humble young man. He was very anxious about coming in case someone might know him, but said he had been persuaded by the Spirit. I was so touched by his courage to put his faith before his vulnerability and be willing to stand in front of a crowd and share his experiences (carefully and not in any detail) with the atonement so recently in his life. I think sometimes I forget how pure we can become, RIGHT NOW, through our continual and diligent efforts to accept the atonement in our lives every day, even IN THE MIDST of our mortal weaknesses, but he was a reverberating reminder as he stood there emanating the light of Christ. Because some anonymity is important to keep private things private, he went by his first name only, but I was able to tearfully thank him after class and it was a potent and immersive experience that keeps going through my mind. I haven't had to fight addictions so far in my life, but I often feel like my spiritual growth is so slow and sometimes even stagnant and it can be oppressively discouraging, so I need constant reminders of whose voice I need to be listening to and discouragement is not His.

Another powerful confirmation began yesterday morning as I was reading a magazine which is mailed, complimentary, to our home. It is LDS oriented, but often not doctrinally well-rooted, so I don't know why I ever read anything from it--curiosity I guess. Anyway, I was reading an article about a young LDS man who is becoming quite famous and has chosen to make many good choices about his environment and the way he portrays himself to the media and the lyrics he chooses to sing, but has chosen not to serve a mission because he thinks the righteous impact he can have in the spotlight is the path Heavenly Father wants him to take instead. I don't know much about him and I don't know his circumstances, but I can imagine the incredible impact someone like that could make, especially on his own generation, by momentarily sacrificing that spotlight to serve the Lord full time. The scriptures show us that there are exceptions to many rules, and it's not my place to say where he stands in all of that, but the thought did come to me that I need to be so tediously careful about ever making myself an exception to the "rules", because I will one day have to answer for that to the Maker of the rules. I'm not sure exactly how Abraham  gained his knowledge that he may have had to be an exception, but I can only be convinced that he had a SURE confirmation and not a just a feeling before moving forward and even then didn't want to be the exception. Maybe that is the key. His direction wan't prompted by self justification or desire or personal gain or comfort. We had a lesson in R.S. today on Not Taking Offense/ Forgiveness and a comment was made that sounded like a call for personal justification and pulled the lesson off track. With all of these thoughts in my head, I was reminded of a "Mormon Message" about a man whose entire family minus one son were killed by a drunk driver. You've probably seen it. If any mortal could seemingly justify himself for not forgiving it would be him, but he shared a perfect example of allowing the atonement to lift that burden from his heart. I felt prompted to share that experience in class. I don't know that this particular sisters heart was changed, maybe the pain is too fresh and she still needs time to soften her heart, but the Spirit returned to class and so many other sisters made profound prophetic and scriptural comments about the atonement that other hearts were changed  as was indicated during the brief testimony meeting afterward. And all because the teacher was inspired to teach the particular topic and pressed forward. I am so grateful to have access to truths that make it possible for minute by minute course corrections in my life.

Our FHE Harvest party was fun. I won Jeopordy=) but only because Mikayla was acting more reserved than usual (she didn't try to tackle me once=). 

Fourteen more days until Eden's birthday. Fourteen more days until she realizes that life goes on pretty much like normal=). Of course we'll have a fun party and the weekend will be magical, since it will be spread that far with a Sunday birthday. I'm still working on that aspect of it. She wanted a girl party for awhile but has switched back to co-ed and we have to fit in her date during the same days that Fred is heading out of town so it is going to be tricky and BUSY.

Fred's in Florida on business until Tuesday and has to go back out of town next week for four days which is no fun. I miss him!!! I am so grateful that we are past those years of night shifts and crazy schedules and that these trips are infrequent because I don't enjoy shouldering his presiding roles while he is gone. We lose so much stability in that process--at least I do.

Quote of the week: "I repeat the challenge to strictly abide in the spirit and by the letter of the Lord's commandments--his divinely prescribed code for successful living. Doing so will not only bring us temporal success but also that which is of infinitely greater worth: peace, self-fulfillment, joy, and eternal happiness." (Marion G. Romney)

BLOOMQUIST HARVEST PARTY 2011

Family Jeopardy

The Remains of our Harvest Basket Exploration This Year

Kyle dressed up by Lily and Sophie

From Elder Jordan--Still Trukin'

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Oct 31, 2011 at 4:37 PM
Subject: 54 days till Christmas


Dear Papá, Mamá, Mikaela, Edén, Abe, Lily, y Sofia

This week, well it started off not the best but finished strong.  On Sunday we finally got an investigator to come to church with us.  She is really interested in learning more.  She said the other day as we were in a lesson that her beliefs are very Catholic, but she wants to do what is right and what God wants.  Every night before going to bed she reads out of the Book of Mormon, before she starts, she prays to ask God to help her understand what she is reading and if it is true.  We also found another person as we were in a sector slam for our stake center.  We each went on divisions with a missionary that was in the MTC here, to find less actives and new people to teach.  The first couple... well lets just say they had their own ideas about the church and how things worked, we tried to help clear up there ideas, but they didn´t like it all that much.  We left them with an invitation a smile and a prayer.  And then got ourselves hence!  As we were looking for the other less active we found a guy named Christian who was washing his car,  he said a long time ago he had spoken with the missionaries and almost got Baptised.  He now participates in the Catholic Choir tuesdays and thursdays, and feels comfortable there.  We talked with him for a while and gave him a book of mormon.  He said he will come to church with us next sunday.  He also invited us to come back next Saturday.  Woot Woot!

Today were changes Elder Weaver and I will still be trukin´ here in El Valle sa-weet.  Elder Erickson, the one from Eagle is moving out of the pention to a different sector though, so that was a little sad.  We heard from President today and he helped us be motivated to return form our missions a different person, to bury all distractions and rededicate.  I love President Laycock, I hope someday you would all have a chance to meet him...

Les amo con todo mi corazon
Elder ...

The picture is me with Elder Weaver my traniee Elder Lyman my Trainer who is leaving tommorow and will be up at BYU Idaho this winter and Elder Cram.

Sudden Changes

It has been such a week! On Monday, Eden came home from school screaming (not that that is unique=) because she was chosen to sing the beginning solo to her high school choir's arrangement of "On My Own" from Les Miserables. Every girl in her choir tried out for the part so she had reason to be excited. She has a choir teacher who rewards desire, not just polished talent, which opens up what can sometimes be a narrow field of opportunity. I forgot my camera (can you believe that), but she performed on Thursday in the new High School Auditorium and did a nice job. It was just a brief opening piece but a fun experience for her. I'll have to see if I can get a photo from someone else who had a camera there that night. She also auditioned for the Treasure Valley Honors Choir and made it. It's just a one month commitment so we're letting her join and that will be fun for her as well. She is getting ready to take the BYU online dating course that we have required our children to complete before dating age, which is less than a month away. Jordan and Mikayla both passed it--I might require Eden to take it twice!=)

Two of Jordan's older friends returned home from their missions this week. One of them reported in Sacrament meeting today. It was so fun to see him. I haven't seen the other Elder yet because he doesn't report for two weeks, but it is a strange feeling to have the wave in the beginning of it's end. Time is now really starting to move.

We're all excited for our Family Harvest Party tomorrow. Fred is getting his annual Jeopardy game ready and Lily wants to deliver tamarind pods for our neighbor gifts. It's an odd gift--I'm used to baking, but I thought it sounded kind of fun to introduce our friends to something we discovered from our traditional Harvest Basket experimenting. I'm excited to go discover some new produce that we haven't yet tried, but the choices become fewer every year as we try more things.

Fred leaves on Friday for a RT convention and will be gone until Tuesday. I'm already sad. He wanted me to go with him but the cost of the flight is so expensive I have a hard time justifying the trip, so he'll be going without me. One of these times, maybe during the summer I'll have to tag along. Last time he was gone I painted our bedroom. I'll have to do something else fun for him this time.

Christmas stuff is already in the stores here. I know it's commercialism, but everything about Christmas just makes me happy--especially when it is taking over the Halloween aisles.

Quote of the week:
"When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer." (Corrie Ten Boom)

My Heart is in His Hands

I guess we have had some of the warmest days in October on record, but I may have written Jordan's weekly letter for the last time from the hammock (my favorite Sunday spot). Granted, I was bundled a little more than usual but the sun was shining so nicely that I actually fell asleep for a few minutes before Mikayla joined me. However, this weeks mornings have reminded me that it is my turn to share the sun with Chile's side of the world and I will miss it (that's what long johns and blankets and heaters are for=), but that means Jordan will be enjoying it and I am glad.

The annual Jones Harvest party continues to be "the best party of the year". Thank you Renee and Ben and all your kids who help keep alive some of the same traditions and original Harvest theme as it's humble beginnings at the farm. It has expanded and become your own, but you have grown it well! The Bloomers thank you, but most I of all I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for continuing to provide a party that this hyper sensitive girl can still go to at this time of year and dismiss everything "Halloween". As always your family has been most generous in opening up your home and bearing most of what I know is an abundant cost every year. I think I speak for everyone in the valley when I say that because of your efforts this is of those extended family traditions that will be forever memorable. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

The twins begged all day Saturday, starting as soon as they awoke (and every half hour at least) to get into their costumes. I finally gave in at 3:00 and by the time we were ready to leave they felt gorgeous and couldn't wait to show off their costumes.....that is until we drove in Ben's lane and they saw the inflatable and wanted to strip down right then and there. I made them wait for 15 minutes of pure agony for Grandma and Grandpa to get there so they could see their outfits before it all came off. Luckily, I had anticipated that and had them pack play clothes so they were happy. Funny girls!

The YSA Branch just called 14 part-time missionaries and organized them like a Mission district so each ward boundary has been assigned a companionship to work in correlation with that wards YSA Advisors. That means Fred and I will get to work in conjunction with them. What a great preparation for full-time missionary service for them and what a blessing for us to continue being involved in various ways with the youth and the added motivation of reporting and accountability. Today in our early morning meeting we were supposed to break off with our ward counterparts but neither of them were there and Fred's stomach was growling so loud he had disappeared into the hall=), so the Branch mission leader and the Stake YSA Rep. counseled with me instead. It's a comforting feeling to have the youth take the lead.

The other day Mikayla was standing at the bar and then suddenly made a very un-Mikayla-like comment. "So Mom, on a scale of 1-10 what would you give _____?" Unfortunately, I'm usually open with my snap judgements, but I don't really know this young man. He seems motivated in his calling. He has honorably returned from a mission. He seems respectful but un-intimidated. He has pretty eyes and has asked Mikayla out a few times, but now that all the dating rules have suddenly changed, I don't think I'm ready to give out "scale" points which might be construed as a sign that I am at ease with this transitory period of parental life. My Angel Maid is no longer dating boys, but young men and she leaves home in two months..."and it's no fun either"! Whoever coined the term, "cutting the apron strings" was no mother. This is no haphazard inanimate separation of warp and weft, if involves living, pulsing heart strings and the help of the most highly skilled surgeon. My heart is in His hands. I trust it there, but it's still painful.

HARVEST PARTY PRELIMINARIES:

"Hello Dolly!"

Lily a.k.a Pixie -- Sophie a.k.a. Dolly Levi

Abe a.k.a. -- Ninja

The Glorious 80's
Eden a.k.a. Rachel; Mikayla a.k.a. Lori; Shelby a.k.a. Marg

Out of My Hands -- A Lost Generation!

CRAZY HAIR DAY AT SCHOOL:

You can't tell, but it's tied in about 30 hair knots
and looked like "dreds". Lily was sick that day.

From Elder Jordan--To See If Any Flowers Blossom

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan...
Date: Mon, Oct 24, 2011 at 4:29 PM

Dear Family,

This week has been getting pretty hot.  I am still trying to decide if I like hot or cold weather better. This week we have been working with two ladies in specific, Fanny and Nelly.  Fanny is a 50 year old lady that has 5 children but they have all moved out, or they are in prison.  So almost every day she is at home all alone.  The first time we taught her we just did it on her front porch.  And the second time her son from Puente Alto was there.  She is a great lady and reads every thing we ask her to read, she asks questions and wants to learn but she doesn´t feel like she is good at praying or getting answers to her prayers.  We are working on that with her, and encorage her to keep praying and listening.  The other, Nelly is an 80 year old lady that lives alone with her husband and her dog.  She also is super nice, but we are trying to see if it is just niceness and nothing else.  Her husband is always there listening but always starts with "I´m just here with my wife but I am not interested in any of this" in which later he always participates in the lessons.  We will keep working with them to see if any flowers blosom.  

I liked all of your costumes, Mom and Dad I didn´t see yours and I remember someone saying that you couldnt go to the harvest party if you weren´t wearing a costume.  It´s weird seening everyone dressed up again,  I have pictures of all of you that I carry around from last years harvest party.  

So 9 weeks till Mikayla goes to school, thats nuts, compleatly nuts I tell you. 

I would like to end this week by just saying Mom and Dad thank you for always setting a good example for us and supporting us and helping us grow.  I have just realized how much I sometimes take for granted.  My companions' parents just got divorced and he has always had a difficult relation with his dad, ever since he was little.  So thank you.

I love you all,
Elder Bloomquist

From Elder Jordan--A Spirit Most Brilliant and Warming

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan...
Date: Mon, Oct 17, 2011 at 4:33 PM


My Dearest Family and to all the world,

This is a most urgent warning, Eden is now getting her licence in April which is after the world had planned to end, but I think it would still be wise to go with the whole 2012 thing.  It is always better to plan for the worst. Eden to answer your question of the Raven and the writing desk they are similar because when ravens fly it is in the sky and sometimes the fly over trees.  A writing desk is made out of wood and if you cut down a tree you have wood.

Mother I am happy, more happy than ever.  Of coarse I have some things I need to work on to be exceptional but that is all part of the learning process now isn´t it.
      

This weekend was the most incredible experience ever.  I felt a spirit most brilliant and warming than maybe any other time before.  It started out with a devotional and the Area presidency was there and they spoke.  Afterward was the celebration which was a play of the story of a child that finds an old book of mormon and asks about it.  Through out was story dances, dances that told a story.  My favorite part was the storm.  It was dark outside and for the storm they had huge strobe lights for the lightnight and big bass speakers for thunder, which because they were so big felt like there was really thunder.  That part represented the distruction of after Christs death.  All of the sudden the lights went of and the sound stoped and there was scilence,  and just like it explains in 3rd Nefi 11, we heard a voice that seemed like it was comming from heaven.  And it felt so real and almost like a dream.  Chile has grabed hold to a special place in my heart.  For 50 years misionary work has been pressing forward here and I feel so privaleged to be a part of that.  

Mikayla when do you start school again?

I love you guys to 33,000 times pi

Elder Pew, Hermana Russel and I

Middleton Boys--yes that is Dalton

Dancing

My zone in the MTC--Happy Reunion

HUGE Speaker System

Dressing For Battle

On Saturday, Mikayla and I got to drive to Ontario to listen to Sis. Julie Beck speak. We were early enough to sit front and center in the chapel, listening literally at her feet. It was inspiring to hear her words, focused specifically on our roles as women, but some of her quotes could definitely relate to everyone. Two that I really liked were: "Pray for miracles and expect them." and "Be brilliant at the basics." But the most profound quote, that absolutely pricked my heart to action was when she said, "Heavenly Father doesn't care about your issues, he cares about his children." She was speaking specifically about our sacred responsibility as visiting teachers and ridding ourselves of excuses, but it pounded in my ears regarding every role I have. It was no coddling talk, but a call to arms and a spiritually enlightening experience. Another challenge that I loved was what she called a spiritual morning strategy in 4 steps:

1.Roll out of bed every morning on your knees (communication with Heavenly Father)

2.Grab your scriptures and spend some time in them (communication with the Spirit)

(By this time I was feeling really good about myself)

3.Get dressed (sign to the Lord that we are dressed for battle)

(Inner groan--I really like my pajamas!)

4. Make your bed (sign to the Lord that I'm not going back there physically or symbolically)

(Today I followed all four steps...and am writing this showered and dressed...it feels good.)

Mikayla went with some of her branch to see Sis. Beck speak again on Sunday in Nampa. She said it was a different talk with some of the same themes, but she loved it again.

So a funny Eden moment (I told her I was sharing it). Two nights ago, we were sitting around the table having a dinner conversation. Eden was definitely dominating it loudly and expressively and with very little breathing, but none of us were quite sure what she was talking about so I had interjected to clarify and minutes later, still not following, Mikayla had interjected to clarify and after the "conversation" had for sure hit the many minutes mark Fred finally interjected to clarify and Eden burst out with, "I never get to talk!!!" There was 5 seconds of stunned silence and then incredulous laughter from the 3 of us. Eden was still disgruntled until we explained our point of view and then laughed slightly, but I don't think she ever saw the humor in it. (Days later I am letting her read this before sending it off and she is laughing plenty now--she's a good sport.=)

Abe is off from school for the entire week. It will be nice to have company for a change, though I got him 4 thick chapter books from the library so I may never see him.=)

Our family is so excited for the Jones's big family Harvest Party on Saturday but I haven't even thought of costumes for the younger kids. Poor Lily and Sophie got a bit cheated being the youngest. I was "costumed out" in my younger mothering years. One of these holidays, before they are too old, I am going to have to create something amazing for them to make up for all the years of being burned out. Jordan, Mikayla and Eden got the full benefits of my creativity. I'm not sure what has happened over the years--I guess just different priorities.

Sunday evening was stake YW Standards night. It was POWERFUL, as it always is when you put these youth in charge! Our stake president's daughter was one of the speakers and shared an experience that a friend had shared with her. Her friend said she was at a fireside a few years ago where some really cute Senior boys were sitting on a dating panel. One of the questions was, "Why should I dress modestly?" and one of the young men said, "because I would rather be thinking about how much fun I'm going to have on the date, than singing hymns in my head all night." Then she talked about the effects that one comment had made on her friend and ultimately on her. Afterwards the young woman approached me and told me that the "cute senior" she had referred to was Jordan . I thought that was kind of her to share that detail with me. Even more than two years later, that one comment is still affecting young women in our stake. Isn't it amazing how far reaching every little moment of our life can be. A young man also spoke and I think every mother in the audience turned to their teenage daughters with the same thought that I had, "you can have him!" Fred and our neighbor were talking after the meeting and our neighbor said, "I want to be like him." and Fred said, "me too!" Eden's comment was, "From now on, whenever they ask us to make a list of all the things we want in a husband, I'm going to save time and just write Joseph's name. He truly sounded like a "Son of Helaman". I love the youth in Middleton!

I've been listening to conference again on my morning walks with Olive. Last week I was reminded again of Elder Packers challenge, "Take hold of your life and order yourself to be valiant." It really struck a chord again. This morning as I was fast walking in the fog, listening to Elder Holland priesthood session talk again, I cried. His words always do that to me... or else make me forget to breathe. The spirit is a powerful influence in our lives! What a blessing to have living, loving prophets!

My Birthday Artwork from Mikayla and Eden

50 Years in Chile

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Oct 10, 2011 at 4:28 PM
Subject: geewolinkers

Dear You guys,

I have been contemplating this whole world ending in 2012 thing and I just figured it out.  Eden gets her licence the first month of 2012.  All other drivers will be trying fast to get off the road, and then there will just be total chaos and mayhem.  And then the world will probably just implode or something.  Its just a good thing I will be safe here on the other side of the world for at lease a year longer.

This week was simply delicious we set 5 dates for baptism and I am so excited for them.  They love learning about everything that we teach them and are always thirsty for more.  Also this past weekend was the first part of the celebration of 50 years in Chile.  It took place in our stake center but was broadcast to all of Chile and some other parts of Chile.  Elder Corbridge, Elder Richards and Elder Zapallos of the 70 spoke about misionary work and the need for more missionaries of full time and well with the members.  There was a choir of 40 jovenes that sang beautifully, Come thou fount, The first vision, and a couple others.  This next Saturday is the big Celebration in a stadium of 20,000 seats it will be full.  I am excited for that it will be a moment in history never to be forgotten.

This week many of our appointments have fallen for some reason or another which has given us the chance to look for more people to teach.  We have knocked many a door and it seems to work every one out of 50.  Which has forced us to find people in other ways such as contacts in the streets which I am not very fond of just because I always feel wierd talking while they are not focused and walking away from us.  But I have a goal to contact at the very least 5 people in the street a day and I have notice that as I do I get less and less worried about what people think and more and more worried about what is really important,  with some of the contacts we have done, we have been strongly rejected and others they are very warm and welcoming. I know that maybe it does not get less difficult, but that heavenly father is helping me as I try to do his work. The mission is so wonderful and so much fun.

I love you all so much
Elder Bloomquist

P.S.  Elder Weaver is 6.5

The pictures are of today on P-day going up to San Cristobal with the giant statue of Mary.  Its on the top of a huge hill so you can see all of santiago in every direction.
The Police picture is of police and a bunch of people rioting MAEOR (Mothers against Eden on the Road.)
Just kidding it is a student march and the police are there just to make sure nothing gets out of hand.

No Place Like Home for the Holidays

September 29th was Jordan's mission hump day. We were all contemplating his year mark and I was happy to realize that the last 6 months have been a pure joy! The first 6 were a bit rough on me as a mother (acclimating to his being gone was emotional) but his experiences and ours--his growth and mine have made it such a pleasure to have a son on a mission. We feel his influence and presence so profoundly in our lives every day and especially during FHE, which is when we read his weekly letters. Saturday, after attending a niece's baptism, and visiting at my sister Lori's, we were all talking and realized that Jordan and my Mom and Dad left on their missions the same day--just different years. Cool, huh!

Sis. Beck, the general Relief Society president, is coming to speak at a regional conference in Ontario on Saturday, so my daughter Mikayla and I will get to attend that together this week. It includes the McCall stake so I'm hoping to see my Mom and sister in law as well. I'm excited to hear what she has to say. This is also the week that the prophet or one of the twelve apostles is coming to visit Jordan's mission so we'll be anxiously anticipating his next letter as well.

Our family went to a stake family Harvest dance Saturday night. It was held outside under our stake center pavilion. My twins linked up with a pack of cute little girls and were dominating on the dance floor. They even had some of their little boy chums dancing up a storm. Abe had his own unique moves going on that would put any deacon to shame=). It was fun, but late and we were all tired in church on Sunday. We have a wide range of musical interests in our home, but I am happy that all of my children seem to be drawn to develop musical talents. I am teaching Lily and Sophie piano lessons with a Jon Schmidt manual that a piano teacher suggested and they are enjoying it and catching on quickly.

I registered for a free, no credit course from BYU this past weekend, just to get mentally prepared for the studying process while we save up for the real deal. It is a course called "Raising Righteous Teens in a Wicked World" and is obviously religiously based, so feels more like studying for a talk or fireside presentation than "school" but there are quizzes and personal application assignments and it feels good to add another focus to my study. The idea came as I was trying to decide on a Personal Progress 10 hour project for "Integrity". I'm so grateful that the Personal Progress program has been opened up for mothers because it is helping me organize my goals and it is a good opportunity to work together with Eden. I worked on the majority of mine with Mikayla before she finished and Abe has been working with Fred on his Faith in God program. It won't be long before Lily and Sophie start working on their Faith in God goals. These are truly
inspired programs and help me through my refiners fire. I often forget, in some of my mothering moments, that what I know and feel strongly about some things, took me a LONG time to absorb internally and that teaching is a slow process that requires patience and freedom and kindness and when the scriptures refer to "cherubim and a flaming sword" it is not supposed to be a description of me! I suppose favoring flaming swords can be beneficial at times, but I better learn to wield them facing only the enemy so I don't spend so much precious time in self inflicted triage.

I can't believe the holiday season is upon us again. Where did that year go?! I'm looking forward to these next few months immensely as I anticipate pumpkin patches, Harvest parties, Thanksgiving and the entire month of Christmas Spirit. "Oh there's no place like home for the holidays."

Quote of the week: "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."  (Frank Herbert)

I Blinked and The Time Was Gone

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

From: Elder Jordan...
Date: Mon, Oct 3, 2011 at 4:01 PM

Dear Bloomin Bloomers,

Last week one year ago I was preparing my bags to head into the MTC.  I blinked and the time was gone.  The mission is such a wonderful experience and I look forward to serving another year in the work of the lord.  I loved conference weekend so much,  learned many lessons in ways that I need to better shape up.  This week we havn´t had a grand quantity of lessons that we have been teaching with investigatiors, so we have been trying to find new people to teach as well as encourage the less actives to return to church.  

Sunday night after general conference we had planned to go to a contact that we had done a few days before.  We got to the house about 8:30 as they were just getting ready for bed.  We asked if we could just come in super quickly and share a brief but very important message.  They seemed hesitant but then let us in they agreeded.  We came in sat down asked how they were doing and everything and then got to the point, but at the moment we were to start a very loud verbal fight broke out right out side the window.  We began the lesson with a prayer, as the fight raged on.  We ended the prayer and the fight did not stop but it seemed to slowly be drown out by the spirit as we were able to converse about the restored gosple of Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon, we felt the spirit very strongly there and decided to invite them to be baptised the 29th of October.  They both accepted, it was one of the most beautiful and spiritul moments of my whole mission. 

Oh man I love you guys so much. Hey so I was thinking, when I get back conference will be the next weekend, would that not be cool if we all went to the conference center.  I don´t know, just think about it.

Hey so the pictures:

--Mom you said to see how tall my companion was you wanted pictures of my feet.  Well here they are...thats kind of weird though I don´t know why you would want that.  Ha ha ha ha ha. Oh man I crack myself up sometimes.
--The other picture with the yellow shirts that actually is how tall he is,  I don´t know if I already told you but both of our names are Jordan as well as my trainners name, so he is Jordan the third.
--And the last one is Elder Palmer,  the moment he came through the door I gave him a huge hug.

Have a scrumptious week.

LOVE YOU ALL
LOVE ELDER BLOOMQUIST

The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning

General Conference was incredible! Fred and I traveled to the Twin Falls temple Friday and went through a session to try to slow down and prepare our minds. Of course I wasn't driving, but I thought it was such a relaxing, enjoyable experience. I have taken the closeness of our local temple for granted. We were gone for almost 9 hours to attend one session. It really made me appreciate the new announcement to the Temple attendance fund for those who don't even have that once in a lifetime opportunity. What an incredible, life changing and eternal blessing! And what a place of peace.

I recognized an old friend of my older sisters that I hadn't seen in over 20 years, there in the temple and was able to talk with her in the dressing room. It was a neat experience. I don't remember much about her, I'm getting forgetful and I couldn't attach any particular memories to her; I didn't even remember her name, but standing there in the temple, I did remember one thing --that she was always kind to me, the little sister. Fred and I were also able to have a long conversation on our way home, about our individual struggles and things we were hoping to receive personal answers or encouragement for during conference. Every single thing we talked about was specifically discussed during one of the sessions. The Lord loves us! My only disappointment with this conference was that Elder Holland spoke at the priesthood session instead of to the general body of the church, but Fred just pulled the talk up on the church's web site and though it wasn't directed specifically to me, I felt his power and conviction and it made me even more committed to "unbind [my] tongue. His presentation is so much less delicate when he is talking to the priesthood brethren. I think maybe the prophet Jacob's concerns may be part of the reason there is a separate Priesthood meeting.=) Fred says the brethren are always more bold with the men of the Priesthood and though I always revel in their tenderness toward us, I love his boldness...the Spirit of God like a fire is burning! He is another "Lion of the Lord".

There were so many talks that I loved and though I took many notes, I will be excited to get the conference Ensign, so I will have the talks in their entirety and the quotes completely accurate (I have slow brain cells and I often forgot parts of quotes, mid-writing=). I was riveted by Sis. Dalton's talk. She is such a beautiful example of femininity and strength. I have met her in person and talked to her individually and I admire her greatly. Her demeanor heightens my great desire to work diligently at being such an example of a virtuous, feminine daughter of God.

Favorite Conference Kind-of-Quotes of the Week:

"To memorize a scripture is like forging a new friendship." (Elder Scott)

"The Holy Ghost satisfies and fills up every vacuum of our hearts" (Sis. Thompson)

"Compared to God, man is nothing, yet to God man is everything." (Elder Uchtdorf)

"Motherhood is not something you do if you have time, it is what God gave us time for." (Elder Anderson)

"Identify the time wasting things in our life that need to be figuratively ground into dust." (EItlder Arden)

"Look up. Step up. Cheer up." (Elder Carl B. Cook)

"Only repentance leads to the sunlit uplands of a better life." (Elder Christofferson)

"Be ye holy in all conversation." (Elder L. Tom Perry)

"In our Gethsemane we are not alone, for He who watches over us shall not slumber nor shall he sleep." (Elder Hales)

"Personal purity will give you power." (Sis. Dalton)

"Create a home where children learn to value, not just learn about values." (Elder Richardson)

"It is never too hard or too late to make correct choices." (Elder Bennett)

"God will not infringe upon our agency, so we must ask for his help." (Elder Cornish)

"And Jesus listening can hear the songs I cannot sing." (Elder Quentin L. Cook)

"May God give us each the strength, ability and determination to play our part well." (Pres. Monson)

Facing The Same Direction

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan...
Date: Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 1:05 PM

Dear Family from above,

What a week right???  This has been my first real week as a senior companion.  Last change I was the senior companion but I was in a new area and didn´t know where anything was so I followed my companion around everywhere.  It has been a very big eye opener because my new companion does not know a lick of spanish either, ok I take it back, he knows a lick but that is it!  So I have to pay attention much more to what everyone is saying because sometimes I have to translate for him.  He is a wonderful friend and companion and we talk about Austrailia, even though he hasn´t lived there for ten years.  He still has a strong accent and so I told him that we will take turns, one day we will speak all spaninsh and the next we will have, speak like an Austrailian day.  OH MAN I AM SOOO EXCITED!!!!  

On Saturday we were teaching an awesome lesson with a lady that has been keeping all of here commitments and I think we just need to teach her the rest and she will get baptised.  I know that she feels something and she is always so excited to read.  Anyways we were at their house at about 8:30 at night and reading 3 Nephi 11 when all of the sudden the lights went out.  It was compleatly dark.  We helped them light some candles and find some flash lights and noticed that it wasn´t just their house but the whole city was dark.  We got out a radio to see what was going on and found out that half the country was out of light.  That was a little bit frightening.  We got calls from our leaders to just go home if we were not already in a lesson.  So after the lesson we headed home but it was difficult to find where we lived because we couldn´t see anything.  We made it safely and 2 hours after the lights turned on, but it is always a nice little reminder to remember who is really in charge of this small earth and all of our lives.
   

I also learned a cool lesson as we were walking back on the dark road.  I could barly make out the path with the cell phone light that I was using.  We were walking on the side of the road against traffic and every once in a while a car would pass by with its head lights on full blast.  I noticed that when ever the cars passed us it made it almost imposible to see the path.  Then to our luck a whole parade of cars passed and we just had to stop for a minute or two because I could not make out anything.  I also realized that when we turned around and faced the same direction as the cars, the head lights illunminated the street for many meters.  In that direction it was not difficult to make out the road one bit.

This is how I related it to our lives: 

We have been blessed with modern day prophets.  We have the scriptures as a guide which also tell us of commandments that we must keep.  We have a light to follow in the midst of the dark.  When we are walking against the light we only see them as a hindrance in our lives, and no matter what, even if we try running or hopping or skipping the will not be a blessing to us, unless we are facing the same way.  

I wish all you crazy hoodlums a most wonderful happy week.

I love you till the end of time
Elder...

HARVEST SEASON--FULL SWING

There are times when Heavenly Father blesses us with tender mercies that are so meaningful to us but seem so small in the eternal scale of thigs that I KNOW his hand is in my life and I feel his love so strongly. My birthday was one of those days. We communicate weekly with Jordan, but he sends birthday letters and mine  arrived ON the day. Knowing the length of time it usually takes for us to receive or send mail and the inconsistency of it all, I am positive that was no coincidence. It meant so much to me and absolutely made my fantastic day perfectly perfect! Fred made me breakfast in bed. Lori, Liz and Marg made a delicious lunch and I drove over with Mikayla and we celebrated mine and Renee's birthdays and were able to visit for over an hour and then Fred took me on a movie date to see Seven Days in Utopia. Upon coming home I was ordered to the hammock while Mikayla made dinner and sent back out while everyone cleaned up and prepared the kitchen for a party, complete with pie and whipped cream and thoughtful gifts and then we all watched "Goodbye Mr. Chips". I wasn't allowed to lift a hand the whole day which was a little uncomfortable but relaxing and everyone pitched in gladly to compensate. I had to play serious catch up the next day, but it was worth it!=)

Saturday was the general R.S. broadcast and I got to attend with Mikayla for the first time. Elder Uchtdorf's talk was AMAZING--as always. He knows the hearts of women! It was exactly what I needed to hear and from the sounds of all the sniffling in the chapel, what so many other women needed to hear as well. I loved his thoughts about the symbolism of Forget-me-Nots; I will never look at the flower the same again. I want to plant some in the Spring, so I will always be reminded of his message. I LOVE that we have living prophets on the earth. I can hardly wait for General Conference. Fred and I are plannning to drive to Twin Falls to attend the temple Friday, in preparation for alligning ourselves spiritually. I am trying to think of inspired questions--so I can receive inspired answers. October conference is such a perfect beginning to Fall and all of those feelings of family and gratitude and charity that come with the season. We are planning to travel to the conference center next October after the twins have turned eight and Jordan is home from his mission and we're all together again for a brief moment. I know it will have life long impact and be a forever memory. My only other experience with attending a live session of conference, actually inside the building,  was as a teenager on a youth Super-trip and I will NEVER forget the way I felt when President Benson entered the Tabernacle or the absolute testimony that was gained that day that he was a prophet of God.

The Harvest season is in full swing here. Our garden and yard are finally producing food faster than this non-canner can prepare it. I have frozen peaches, canned grape juice, made raspberry pies, cut up baskets of snack beans, peas, peppers, cantaloupe, cucumbers and tomatoes, made salsa and gaspacho and tomato soup and then we have sent the twins excitedly door to door delivering the excess to our friends and neighbors who are so grateful to receive it. I am glad that they can experience the joy of giving in that way and that we are so abundantly blessed that we have somthing to give and I don't have to have non-canners guilt!=) I am looking forward to our Harvest traditions, though that also means it is the time of year that I have to avoid town because of the influence of Halloween. I am constantly seeking ways to make the season more meaningful and less about what we are avoiding and more about what we are creating.  Each year we hope that Ben and Renee will host another extended family party and we look forward to our immediate family Jeopardy Night and Harvest deliveries.=). I know all of that pushing away from a widely accepted holiday and being different has sometimes been hard on my children, but there are consequences of having an overly sensitive mother=) and maybe someday our celebrations will reach such a height that the positives will outweigh the negatives. We're SO close!

Quote of the Week: 
"Let us not walk the path of discipleship with our eyes on the ground, thinking only of the tasks and obligations before us. Let us not walk unaware of the beauty of the glorious earthly and spiritual landscapes that surround us.

... seek out the majesty, the beauty, and the exhilarating joy of the "why" of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The "what" and "how" of obedience marks the way, yes, and it keeps us on the right path. But the "why" of obedience sanctifies our actions, transforming the mundane into the majestic. It magnifies our small acts of obedience into holy acts of consecration. "

(Elder Deiter F. Uchtdorf--Gen. R.S. Broadcast)




MY PERFECTLY PERFECT 42ND BIRTHDAY.
It's Going to be a GREAT year--I feel it in my bones!

My Happy 42nd Birthday

Cheese!

A Creative Birthday Pedicure From Lily and Sophie

Waiting For Dinner

21 x 2... And Make A Wish

Hours and Hours...

...Of Homemade Love!

The Budding...

...Artists

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Admiring the Scenery

From My Boy...ON the Day!

Sweet Dream Pie

He Felt Something Different

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

From: Elder Jordan...

Mi querida familia,

Im sorry I didn't write you yesterday because it was a holiday, Chilean independance day and nothing was open.  It's so crazy here they celebrate for 3 days straight and have huge BBQ with every kind of meat you can think of.  Sooooo good.  We also had an activity Satuday we played soccer for most of the morning, after that we had a ginormous BBQ which had so much meat they had to use what looked like old bed springs to cook all of it.  After that our Bishop danced the cueca (the national dance of Chile).  We also had some relays and competitions.  The whole day was wonderful and I felt like I got even closer to the members of our ward.

It was super cool this week, on Wednesday we had some extra time and so we decided to pass by a contact that we did earlier on in the week.  When we did out came the dad of the kid we talked to the first time.  He told us that when ever he sees Jehovas Wittnesses or Evangelicos he doesn't leave, but when he saw us he felt somthing different and let us come in.  We shared the message of the restoration with him as well as shared with him the importance of baptism inthw correct manner with the authority.  The whole time he was agreeing with us about everything.  So we decided to invite him to be baptized and he accepted imeadiatly.  It was a beautiful experience to feel the spirit and Invite him to be baptized.

This week was changes and I was called to train,  so this morning we went to pick them up, my new companion his name is Elder Weaver from Austrailia, sooooooooooooooooooooo cool he has an accent and everything. 

President Monson, or one of the apostles doesn´t come until October 15 but I will be sure to tell you all about it.

I love you all so much
Elder Jordan...

The pictures are of our ward activity and the temple trip and an beautiful evening in chile

Stepping Out on a Limb

Mikayla is back and I'm so grateful! she got in late Thursday night and shared her experiences with us while I was in bed, tucked under my covers. It was so nice to have her home on Friday morning, that we were both still in our dog walking clothes at noon, talking about life and dreams. She had a great time but it was good to know that she did get a bit homesick.=)

Campaign week is over and Abe didn't secure an officer position (it seems that half the class had the same idea and over 15 of the 33 ended up competing for vice president.=). But, he met new people, opened his eyes to possibilities, invested himself (even if it was just for two weeks) and good has come from it. He seems to get off the bus now a happier boy.

Stake Conference was this weekend. Pres. Peterson, the first counselor in our Stake Presidency, gave us direction from our area presidency to get involved in missionary work by creating a profile on mormon.org and then linking it to any of our other social media sites like Facebook and Blogger. I created an lds profile when the church originally announced the proposed launch and was asking for the first 1000 entries before going public, but imagine my surprise when Pres. Peterson started his presentation and pulled up a few pictures, including mine, on the website on the huge church screen. I will admit that I was uncomfortably self conscious and was glad when he finally moved on. Why is that?

I have always had the extended family blog set on private, so I can post personal information and feel protected with our communications, but with so much encouragement and council from the church to get involved in letting our voices be heard online, I have felt a pull and prodding to step into that media ring and created a personal blog over a year ago with that intention but during the creation process an acquaintance just randomly found it and I suddenly felt exposed and panicked and without taking the time to re-write my entries for an unseen audience I have felt too vulnerable to make it public. However, I know it's a medium that I feel a passion to contribute to and with the extra nudge I am taking the council to heart and will spend the next few weeks editing and stepping out onto a limb.

I have come to the realization that I am a Facebook snob. I've never liked the forum and have a profile only to keep linked to my favorite youth, but after conference I linked my mormon.org profile to my Facebook and went "searching" for all of my long lost family and found dozens of cousins/aunts/uncles and added them. I will probably still not use the site much--it just doesn't fit my personality--but it's a step at reaching out and linking, which I am horrendous at. Many avenues of missionary work terrify me and though opening my heart to the "world" is scary, I feel compelled to share my testimony in a literary way, and knowing that I am an "open book" may help me refine my thoughts and feelings and the way I express myself. And though it is doubtful that anyone will actually read a blog that is just floating out over the computer waves, I will be demonstrating obedience, will most assuredly strengthen my own testimony and may well shorten the long, laborious battle of learning to speak with the "tongue of angels". I think the assignment to create a mormon.org profile might just push Fred to the brink of internal combustion =) as his weekly letters to Jordan seriously test his loathe of writing.

I'm have been weighing out my options for school. the Graphic Design program at Stevens-Henager starts on October 10th. the Master Gardner classes start in January and BYU Online classes start whenever I find the money and register. I spent hours on the phone yesterday gleaning information from counsellors and administrators trying to pin down the best path for me right now. I set a goal to have it all figured out by my birthday, which is today, and I have determined that the underlying most important thing to me is to finish what I started and that means getting my degree from BYU. It sounds selfish, when I have educational opportunity free in front of me, but there will always be that scar of dropping out if I don't do this and then I can always get more education for free, so we are just going to find a way to make it work. I admit that I am nervous...in fact downright scared of my capacity. I am scared of failure, Saturday night at the adult session of conference, Pres. Quenzer, the second counselor in our stake presidency said that commitment was like the full moon and the longer you wait, the more it diminishes and I don't want to be a "sliver". 

Jordan says an apostle (or possibly even Pres. Monson) will be visiting his area for a conference on Oct. 15. I am 3/4 of the way through his lengthy biography and though my confirmation of his prophetic calling was seared into my heart at the general conference in which he first presided as THE prophet, seer and revelator, it has not been until my reading of this book that I have felt that overwhelming personal LOVE for him that I had cultivated for President Hinckley. I have learned much about his life, but more especially about his Christlike quality of focusing on the one. I hope Jordan gets to look into his eyes and see the Spirit of God emanating there.

Kindred Spirits

Spiritual Lessons From Geese

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan ... (Serving a mission in Chile)

...Wow for me this week was super good as well,  one of my highlights was that we went on a temple tour with a menos activo family that we have been working with to get sealed in the temple.  They have many kids and it was kind of hot out side and I could tell after the first 10 minutes the kids were bothered and the parents were preoccupied with there kids.  And then I started to worry about them because I wanted them to have a pleasant memory here.  Near the end we went into a room, the kids still fussing and wiggling around and then the Hermana said we were going to watch a small video about Christ. When the video started, all the sudden there was a hush that fell over everyone, and the spirit filled the room so strongly.  At the end of the video they asked if there were any comments or questions,  it was silent for a moment and the the Hermano said quietly "this is the third time I have been on the temple tour, but never have I felt the spirit so strong as I have today."   We left the room and got on the bus and I had a hard time not smiling.  I hope that feeling will motivate them to work together to get sealed as a family.

President Laycock always gives us amazing examples in life to help us become better missionaries, but I liked it so much, so here it is. I hope it helps you as much as it has me.

Geese make a remarkable yearly sojourn which is based on instinctive selflessness (Be a giver and a helper not a taker and a user).
• They fly for 1000's of miles with precision with a pinpoint accurate guidance system that takes them to a refuge of peace and comfort (Follow the Spirit)
• They fly in a familiar V shape formation (70% more efficient that flying alone) (Be United)
• As they move their wings, it creates an uplift for those who follow. (Be a voice of encouragement).
• Those birds that fall from formation feel immediate resistance and rejoin the formation. (Help those in need to improve).
• Leadership is alternated as one leader tires, another steps up to lead in his or her place. (Support and sustain leadership and do not aspire to positions).
• The Flock flies with its own rhythm (Be of good cheer)
o The Pulsating sound of the wings excites and energizes the Flock
o Those who fly behind keep careful watch and honk to give encouragement to those ahead
• If a goose becomes sick and has to drop out of formation, 2 geese accompany the one in need and stay with it until they can all return to the Flock together.
• Geese mate for life. They are faithful and true to the end. (Prepare yourself for all the blessings of the Temple)...

A Priceless Treasure

We fed the missionaries last night. One young Elder is brand new to the mission field and the other, who we know a little better, Mikayla calls "the English missionary". He's not from England, but she thinks he looks English and his mannerisms are very proper. Both of my older girls are impressed by him and he seems to be a neat young man, but last night after the new Elder had shared a simple, but profound message with us, the Spirit was strong and they lingered a few minutes before their next appointment. "The English Elder" picked up Mikayla's guitar and started playing a beautiful version of "If You Could Hie to Kolob" and it brought Jordan so near that I had to make a difficult and concentrated effort to keep my emotions in check so I wouldn't frighten the poor boy or have to go into some long mother-misses-son explanation. We love our associations with these young men. It has become like a 2 year trade. I love some other mothers sons for two years, while other mothers are loving mine. It's such a natural emotional evolution. Last week there was a bit of tension in R.S. opening exercises with discussion about the Elders not showing up for dinner appointments and I felt my mother hen feathers ruffle a bit in defence of these young men; like they were MY boys. I can imagine someone feeling the same about my Jordan and it gives me immense peace. These young men of the priesthood are so dear to mother hearts!

My Mikayla is now in Long Beach with her best friend, on their Disneyland excursion. Fred and I have been a bit of a nuisance, texting and calling them frequently and they are humoring us with return texts and forwarded cell phone pictures are so blurry you can barely tell who is who, but at least we have felt a part of their experience and it has kept them near. They sound like they are having such fun together and I am glad. I have had to fix all of my own technical computer difficulties for 4 days now, which I'm sure is good for me and relaxing for Mikayla,=) but the house is lonely without her. I am not cut out to be an empty nester and luckily I have many years ahead of me before that label can be appropriately attached to me, but I do not look forward to it.

My little Eden is feeling a little forlorn these last few days, struggling with figuring out these complicated boy/girl friendship relationships. Her enthusiasm for life extends to her enthusiasm for people and that can be a little bit confusing. I think she misses her big sister and their night time talks these last few days. Being 15 can be very emotionally difficult--I remember all too well-- but her heart is filled to the brim with righteous desire so she'll make it through--we both will, I'm sure, but she certainly keeps me on my mother toes. She's not the first to do that !=) The world loves Eden and she loves this beautiful world right back, but every once in awhile it all seems in a kerfuffel. She wants her "Sweet 16" party to be an all girl affair, which I think is a brilliant idea--less complicated she says--but I think she's getting wiser by the hour.=)

My Abe came up with some creative ideas for campaign posters this past week and we put our heads together and ended up with results that were a hit with his classmates. It's been fun to see him investing himself. This Thursday is the end of campaigning, so I imagine these next few days will get a bit more competitive, but so far I think he is feeling positive about his efforts. I'm just feeling pleased about the personality that seems to be taking embryonic shape. It has been quite a few years since we were watching him pick flowers and roll himself up in the goalie net on the soccer field and life was still all about him. Maybe his "team player" instincts are finally emerging. This opportunity is a good forum for that enlightenment because he'll learn quickly that he can get nowhere without the support of other people. I think this small scale experience will be a fine teacher for that. He is firmly on the path to becoming a young man.

My Lily and Sophie seem to be loving school. They are already planning their first twin tricks for April Fools Day; I guess their teacher is known to be an April Fools jokester at school. Their student/teacher relationship is more sparring than with a female teacher and I think their little personalities enjoy that with him, but they are going through a tedious phase with each other that seems independence based and argumentative. I am not very patient and tolerant about it but I am hoping it is a natural twin phase that will sort itself out with time; accelerated time! Sophie seems more desirous of liberation and Lily still tends to lean more toward duality...feelings can get tender. There is just nothing quite like those "Bloomin" emotions running high and deep!=)

Today is the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and I am enormously grateful for the gospel in my life. I am grateful to know that amongst all of the fear and chaos that there is a pre-determined plan and that we are definitely not on our own. Neither are we in charge... and luckily nor is Satan. I am so grateful for our freedoms and for this blessed country. I can almost hear Joseph Smith saying, "...the Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done." Fred keeps hoping for the second coming=) but I know the work is not yet done...our work is not yet done. I am so grateful to be a part of it and to know how I fit into it all. That is a priceless treasure.

Bus Rides and Promptings

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan
Subject: ¡el fin esta cerca arrepiente todo!

     ...So this last week at least 4 people have come up to us and asked so what do you think about the world ending in 2012,  I have a feeling that people are going to be starting to look for the truth and salvation or just party it up because it is the last days.  We have had some good lessons though and it is so comforting to already know what is going to happen.  People have been talking about all kinds of crazy stuff,  Earthquakes and tornado's, shootings, protests, plane crashes.
     So something really cool is that President Monson is coming to Chile October 15 to come talk to us and the members.  I will possibly get to shake his hand ...wait what??????
     So I had a cool experience this week,  so to start off we ride buses here sometimes and you have to pay to ride, but instead of money we have a card that we charge in a story and then you just scan it when you get on.  So the other day we got on, I scanned my card and it beeped and then another person got on and sanned it but denied it so they went and sat down with a worried look on their face.  I had a feeling to scan my card again for the person.  So I did.  We were riding for a little bit and then the police stopped us got on and with their own scanner began checking everyones card to make sure they paid.  If they catch someone that has not paid there is usually a fine of 200 dollars.  They checked mine and I told them I had paid for the man.  They saw that I had paid twice and went on.  They checked everyone and then got off.  I was so grateful to have received that small prompting and to have gone through with it...

Constanza and Constansa who danced the cueca a chilean dance for the talent show.

Elder Romero and Catalina a recent convert that was baptised
last sunday and my boy Gasper

The Smallest Details of Our Lives

Hurray for school holiday! Abe was out of school on Friday and the rest of the kids are out today, for Labor Day. There is talk of doing something "fun" (Mikayla and Eden are already out shopping), but my most favorite days are ones like this past Saturday where everyone worked hard a good part of the day, cleaning and organizing and repairing projects, then made dinner together (individual pizza's) and the remainder of the day was spent with extended family and dear friends at a nephews baptism and the reception of one of Jordan's friend girls. I guess my lack of "yellow" personality is emphasized on those days=) but I do love them!

Friday, Fred and I went on a date to see another of Jordan's friend girls at her reception and then went to the "dollar" theatre to the T.C. Christiansen movie called "17 Miracles" about the Martin and Willie Handcart companies. It had it's mediocre moments in the first half, but it got better and brought back many sacred memories of Trek and renewed my appreciation for the sacrifices of the early pioneers and especially for Levi Savage, who I had previously learned to love, but was once again endeared to. I often forget how much impact one righteous, devoted person can make in the lives of people even many generations after they have passed on. His story teaches me some of the same lessons as Pahoran about humility and refusing to be made low by offence.

Abe came home from school onThursday all excited about upcoming class office elections and announced that he wanted to run for Vice President. My Abe?! I tried not to show my shock and was as encouraging as possible. I did try to positively explain that being a class officer would probably include socialization with other people and being in the occasional spotlight. He seemed aware and explained that he didn't want to run for President because they had to give a lot of speeches and he didn't want to run for secretary because they had to write "A LOT", but the idea of being involved in planning all of the "fun" activities seemed highly motivating. We will help him make posters for his campaign tomorrow (which runs through the 12th) and if nothing but the desire comes from this, I will count the Charter School a success for him. I am still a little shell shocked, but now all my children with "Yellow" personalities will have at least tried their hand at running for school politics, which is interesting to me. It seemed a natural extension of Jordan and Eden's personalities, but this is such a SURPRISE from my boy who I can't convince to continue in Young Artists, a community youth choir, even though he enjoys singing, just because of the once a semester concert stage fright factor--and that's in a large group. I will be so curious to see how this experience impacts him. One of the little girls that Fred home teaches, who is Abe's peer said he spends all his free time at school reading. I know he hasn't made any close friendships and doesn't seem that interested. After all books are friends and his 3 best friends, Leah, Charlie and William, who are all neighbors, are anxiously waiting for him when he comes home. For that reason, he won't have "public recognition" in his favor, but just the experience will be so good for him. I am really proud that he has decided to take a step towards contributing and being involved. I hope he'll keep taking those steps--no matter how the elections turn out, because those opportunities for responsibility and leadership are just around the corner for him as he prepares for the Aaronic priesthood next year.

Mikayla is headed off to Disneyland this week. She flies out with the her best friends family on Thursday and will stay until the 15th. Her best friend has been trying to talk me into this excursion since we moved here and now her dream to show Mikayla "the magic" is finally coming true! Mikayla has literally earned it but the house won't seem the same without her this week. Fred and I were talking about her going away to college on Sunday and were being all weepy when she came home from church and joined us on the hammock. She thinks we're wrecks. That would be true.

Mikayla and I had a sad experience on Tuesday. Last week during dinner clean-up, a mouse ran out from under the stove for a second. Being in a newer house has given me a comfort level that something that size couldn't get in, but I could hear him for the next few days whenever the house was quiet and the little kids were constantly asking if I'd seen the "cute little mouse" that day. Because of Fred's medical experience with Hantavirus, I know the real danger and disease that can be spread by mice, so I know we can't co-exist, but it is always a huge moral dilemma for me and as much as he hates it, Fred knows that he has to deal with the problem in private and in silence. However, this particular mouse was too smart for traps and was constantly startling me. Tuesday, I could hear him moving around, so Mikayla and I sneaked into the kitchen and found him on the pantry shelf. We spent the next forty minutes trying to trap him humanely, half the time with him staring at us from the back of shelves, but he was seriously like Houdinini and we finally lost him back under the stove. Only a few minutes later, I went into the kitchen and opened the dishwasher to load it and realized that the mouse was caught in the door. I wasn't sure what to do because I didn't know if shutting the door would hurt him or free him, so I yelled for Mikayla and with both of us traumatized, I slowly opened the door. and he immediately dropped on the floor with no sign of life, which was strange because he was very much alive the second before. I was so distressed at what I had inadvertently done, especially after spending almost an hour trying to be kind that I burst into tears. Mikayla told me that as soon as she had seen the predicament she had silently prayed that the little mouse would be okay and now he was. She hadn't intended him to be "okay" in that way, but without that prayer he most likely would have had a slow death and I am sure the Lord intervened to spare us and him. We had a little cry and then we buried him under the Willow tree by Mikayla's fish. Having had Chester (our guinea pig) and now Maunzy (our chinchilla), rodents seem more like pets than pests. We haven't buried any spiders yet, and some of those just have to go, though I did cry once, in the farmhouse, about accidentally killing one of those.  I'm no tree hugger; I understand that sometimes life has to be terminated and if I am conscientious about turning on my emotional detachment button, I can use a fly swatter without a problem =) but life is sacred and this experience reaffirms to me that Heavenly Father is mindful of us in the smallest details of our lives.