High Stakes UNO looser

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

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

"Chow with his cute nails"

"There I Plant My Foot"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our Weekly Highs and Lows for Mikayla

++

From Mikayla

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

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

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

...

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

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

Love you all,

Mikayla

Playing Mario Kart

From Elder Jordan

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

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

Hollywood's Got Nothing on These!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mikayla's Kitchen

Mikayla's Bedroom

Mikayla's Apartment Complex

Mother/Daughter

Father/Daughter

Parting Shot

The Bed and Breakfast Fred and I Stayed at

Rexburg Temple

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

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

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

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

From Elder Jordan

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

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

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

From Elder Jordan

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

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

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

From Elder Jordan

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From: Jordan Bloomquist
Date: Mon, Dec 19, 2011 at 5:47 PM


My dear precious family,

Sorry about the troubles I have caused with the shoes,  but I thank you so much.  This week has been a good week, filled with all sorts of goodies.  I have found many things that I am grateful for and many things that I yet have to learn.  On Sunday we got to listen to the Christmas Devotional from the first presidencey.  I loved the new videos that they came out with they were beautiful.  I think I remember them talking about doing something like that between sessions of conference.  I also loved when president Monson was talking about the books he read.  I want to read the mansion it sounds super interesting.

There is a young boy in our ward that at school one day, tripped and stepped weird so that it messed something up in his hip.  The solution is to put both of his legs in casts, which they did last week.  They are immovable, seperated about 8 inches apart by a stick that is glued their.  He has to stay like that for 3 months.Sometimes I get tired of walking but I am so grateful I can.  And that I have a body perfectly healthy and functional. 

The spirit of Christmas is filling the air here, even though it is 90 degrees here and people are now setting up swimming pools.  The lights are everywhere, people seem more happy and smiling and cheery.... and I am sooooooooooooooo excited to talk to ya´ll.   We will call at 12 your time and 4 our time.   I have a challenge think of a question you want to ask me but ask me in Spanish.  It really is a beautiful language.   Oh and I have an other small Christmas tradition you have to add.  Go to the store and look for "Tim Tams" they are like chocolate covered crackers.  You take one out and bite off both ends but just a small bit and then you stick it in some hot coco and suck it like a straw until the insides melt.  Then quickly put all of it in your mouth, the cookie that is, and feel free to cry tears of scrumptious delight.

This week we have been working with a kid named Andres.  He lives in our ward but his aunt lives in another ward and he was taking the discussions with them.  To get him more comfortable with attending this ward the missionaries gave him as a reference to us and we are finishing teaching him.  He is only 14 but very intelligent and independant.  He got baptized on sunday and the ward brought him right in.  I think we need to help him understand endure to the end, well.  He likes all the new attention but we want him to have a strong testimony even after all that dies down.  It really is amazing how close you can get to people in so short of time. 

I love you all so much

I will see you in 6 days

Elder Bloomquist

Pictures 

We went up to the Mary Statue

These were our hike up and a nativity scene

From Elder Jordan--Christmas Season Reflections

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From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 5:24 PM

Buenas Tardes mi familia hermosa,

This week has been a good one and to make it better, changes were yesterday and me and Elder Weaver get to stay, so you will be seeing him on Christmas.

To be honest this year has really flown by super fast, I feel like I just talked with you for Christmas and here it is again.  As a mission we had an activity on Tuesday.  We met at a huge park in the morning and had a big relay verses the other zones.  Obviously our zone won, ha ha. Then we just had a couple of hours to do different activities of our choosing, such as soccer or flag football or ultimate frisbee.  I played ultimate frisbee for a while then sat down and talked with Elder Erickson for a little bit, (he is the one that lives in Eagle Idaho).  At about 2:00 we went back to the chaplel, got dressed in our normal clothing and ate a delishous lunch.  Afterward we listened to President as he talked about Christmas,  he loves Christmas, you can ask him any day of the year how many days are left until Christmas and he can give you a responce right away.

Side note, why is Christmas Celebrated on the 25th of December when we know he was born in April.  In the times of the Romans the 20th of December was the Solinvictious, meaning it was the shortest day of the year.  They celebrated this day because it meant there would be more sun everyday from then on.  As time went on the celebration became more and more evil and wicked.  After the death of Christ the Christians decided to replace this dark celebration with that of the birth of our Saviour.  That is why every december we comemorate the birth of Christ. Neat huh.

Afterward we watched the Christmas Carol, which helped me feel very much in the Spirit of Christmas. Right now we are working with a couple of investigators, to see if they might be baptised on Christmas, what a special day that would be.

I hope the Christmas season is going good for you all I love you.

LOVE
Elder...

Pictures:
Christmas Activity
Christmas Dinner
Family Home Evening
I think I need some new shoes

Mom I am super sorry I should have told you this last week but as you can see my shoes have gone the way of the world and the ones I am wearing right now will probably last a couple more weeks at best.  I have looked many places but they just don´t sell shoes in my size unless I want to pay 70 bucks.  Do you think you could look at savers or the D I if they have any,  anything that fits dad will fit me,  if there is nothing I will just get some here.  Thanks so much mom.

Mikayla I better here from you when you are up at school !!!

 

From Elder Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Dec 12, 2011 at 5:24 PM

Buenas Tardes mi familia hermosa,
               This week has been a good one and to make it better, changes were yesterday and me and Elder Weaver get to stay, so you will be seeing him on Christmas.
  To be honest this year has really flown by super fast, I feel like I just talked with you for Christmas and here it is again.  As a mission we had an activity on Tuesday.  We met at a huge park in the morning and had a big relay verses the other zones.  Obviously our zone won, ha ha. Then we just had a couple of hours to do different activities of our choosing, such as soccer or flag football or ultimate frisbee.  I played ultimate frisbee for a while then sat down and talked with Elder Erickson for a little bit, (he is the one that lives in Eagle Idaho).  At about 2:00 we went back to the chaplel, got dressed in our normal clothing and ate a delishous lunch.  Afterward we listened to President as he talked about Christmas,  he loves Christmas, you can ask him any day of the year how many days are left until Christmas and he can give you a responce right away.
  Side note, why is Christmas Celebrated on the 25th of December when we know he was born in April.  In the times of the Romans the 20th of December was the Solinvictious, meaning it was the shortest day of the year.  They celebrated this day because it meant there would be more sun everyday from then on.  As time went on the celebration became more and more evil and wicked.  After the death of Christ the Christians decided to replace this dark celebration with that of the birth of our Saviour.  That is why every december we comemorate the birth of Christ. Neat huh.
   Afterward we watched the Christmas Carol, which helped me feel very much in the Spirit of Christmas.
Right now we are working with a couple of investigators, to see if they might be baptised on Christmas, what a special day that would be.
I hope the Christmas season is going good for you all I love you.
LOVE
Elder ...
Mikayla I better here from you when you are up at school !!!


Pictures
Christmas Activity
Christmas Dinner
Family Home Evening
I think I need some new shoes
Mom I am super sorry I should have told you this last week but as you can see my shoes have gone the way of the world and the ones I am wearing right now will probably last a couple more weeks at best.  I have looked many places but they just don´t sell shoes in my size unless I want to pay 70 bucks.  Do you think you could look at savers or the D I if they have any,  anything that fits dad will fit me,  if there is nothing I will just get some here.  Thanks so much mom.

Chile Santiago East Mission:An Uninvited Visitor in the Lynch North Chapel

You can see Jordan holding his spider @ this mission blog link:

Blog: Chile Santiago East Mission
Post: An Uninvited Visitor in the Lynch North Chapel
Link: http://santiagomissioneast.blogspot.com/2011/11/uninvited-visitor-in-lynch-north-chapel.html

Over and Over and Over Again

Eden went on her first date Wednesday with her good friend Hunter. I took pictures when he came to get her, hoping it wouldn't make him feel awkward, but he seemed flattered to be that "milestone" =). He seems like a good kid and he made is special for her. They went black-light miniature golfing with 3 other couples, then the girls were all blindfolded and taken to Pizza Hut, where the boys had embellished the atmosphere with tablecloths, candles, goblets and a rose on every girls plate. Afterward, they went back to Hunters to watch a movie and she was home 20 minutes before her 11:00 curfew (which gives Hunter big brownie points in the Mom book.=) She was so excited!

The spirit of the holidays is infusing our home and I am happy. Thanksgiving was relaxing and uniting and joyful. The ranch is such a blessing as a gathering place--no Wifi, no access to television, nowhere else to go--it forces people to interact and spend time together in old fashioned, traditional ways. Lori provided humanitarian projects and Olsen's were so good about instigating group games. The entire week has been packed and I think we were all physically exhausted but emotionally refreshed when we finally pulled in to home on Saturday afternoon. 

The only thing that made the Thanksgiving holiday less than peaceful (other than the noise and dirt and chaos=) was a nagging feeling that started last Sunday and continued to pester me all week. A sister in our ward had asked me right after Relief Society if I would share a personal experience that went along with Elder Alonso's conference talk. I had just re-listened to it while walking Olive and had some good ideas immediately come to my mind so I agreed and went home to re-read the talk, but couldn't make it past the title, which is, "Doing the Right Thing, at the Right Time, Without Delay". The first two phrases pricked my heart and the last one skewered it and suddenly every other idea became clouded in my mind and I could only think of my calling, which has been such a source of guilt and frustration for the past ...has it really been almost a year?! Fred and I have searched and hunted and visited and called and e-mailed and cleaned up records and never seem to be progressing in significant ways and have been in a calling slump the last couple months, but the phrase, "Without Delay" was so forceful that it consumed my thoughts (and here is how "skilled" I am at dodging promptings). The skewering came on Sunday which, of course, was Eden's 16th birthday so I put off "searching" that day because of all of our previous plans. Then came Monday, but Fred and I are supposed to visit as a companionship and by the time he got home from work it was time for FHE so we "couldn't" go Monday. Tuesday I was committed to chauffeuring children to choir from 4:30 to 9:00 and Wednesday I didn't take a break from preparing Thanksgiving food (except once to get dressed) from 6AM-9PM and Thursday we left for Donnelly. By the time we were halfway home from the ranch on Saturday I was feeling spiritually pummeled and I told Fred that we had to go searching for young single adults as soon as we got home. Granted, the timing was odd--only because I had belabored it so long--and so he asked why and without sharing the whole process, I told him I just HAD to. He was kind enough not to ask for more explanation and immediately agreed to go with me, so we unloaded kids and cargo--left Mikayla in charge and went out with list in hand--I, confidant that I was being adamantly prompted for a purpose. And yet, two hours later we had only found the mother of one person who was quite anxious to have us disappear. Knocking doors is terrifying to me and after summing up all my courage and using every resource available to us, I came home more discouraged than ever and not a single passionate thought to share for my Sunday assignment. This morning I woke up and scanned the talk one more time and as I read about Elder Alonso's search for his son in Mexico City, our search for Abe as a little boy on the farm came into my mind and instead of thinking of the police officer who watched us search for Abe as the villain (as I always have) I had this symbolic thought that he was me. A "good" person watching those who are searching and suffering and withholding what is of most value because of preconceived assumptions that the searchers don't care enough, aren't responsible, haven't learned their lesson, aren't deserving and may even loathe the protector. And in that moment it became so clear to me that none of those things matter. Christ wouldn't act like that. If he saw us searching, he wouldn't wait to analyze the searchers, but would come racing across the fields to bring back what was most precious. And he would do it over and over and over again. 

Quote of the week: "The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive. The great opportunity is where you are." (John Burroughs)

Eden's First Date

THANKSGIVING MOMENTS:

Abe and Seth

Isaac and Mikayla

Braden and Caden

Lily, Sophia and Annalie

Marg, Madison and Dad

Cousins

Rob and Shelby

Boy Cousins

Family Monopoly

Fun Games

From Elder Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Nov 21, 2011 at 3:43 PM
Subject: Weena


Hello my dear family,
   It sounds like you have had an eventful week,  happy Birthday Eden 16 woot woot, all grow growed up and stuff.  What was the hot air ballon thing is that new tradition, ...do I get to do that??  Your birthday letter should be there soon. Our investigator Fanny loves that we come by and everything she always reads and she is praying and has come with us to church 2 times but simply does not think she can stop smoking, just doesn`t believe in herself.  We are going to pass by this week and teach her more about the Atonement,  hopefully she can feel the spirit and learn of that.  Today we went and hiked up the mountain and it was so beautiful when we got high up to see the big picture of everything and just remember how small we really are.  I did notice a lot of smog hovering over the city which was kind of weird because walking around everyday I don´t notice it at all.  Every day I am breathing it in and I have no idea.  I related it to us in the world and a prophet in our day.
  Everyday we go about our bussiness and we sometimes are un aware of the dangers that lurk about everywhere.  A prophet has been sent to us in our day to warn us from these toxic dangers and to call us to higher ground.  I am truly thankful to be serving here in this time learning about all the miracles that surround us.
As we came back down the mountain, or should I say a mountain from the Andes we found a couple things, I now have some rocks from the Andes for you dad and some wild flowers for you mom.  And we also found this cute lite spider just wandering around. UHHHH it gives me the hibiduba jibbies just thinking about it.  On thursday President Jufra invited us to have thanksgiving at his house, he is our stake president.  I am excited we will be having it with our whole zone, and I will be thinking of you guys. 
Romans 8:35-39, President Jufra shared this in stake conference on sunday.  I know its true.
I love you all so much
Your son and brother
Elder ...

Spiders and Missionaries

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Nov 28, 2011 at 2:58 PM



My good dear wonderful family, 
            Well there is definantly no snow here,  I am sweating as we speak sitting in this ciber writing you guys right now.  I loved the pictures of your adventures up at the ranch.  I am hesitant to ask but who is the kid in the red next to my boy Caden,  he looks like he belongs to our family but I´m lost.  So Eden how was your first date everything you hoped it to be,  I hope so, it sounds like fun.  Like I was telling you our Stake President invited us over for Thanksgiving.  He was born and raised in Chile but lived in the states for 10 years. He said that every year someone would invite him to cleabrate with their family when he was so far away from home.  So now he invites those that are far from home to celebrate this time with him and his family.  I forgot my camera but I will send you pictures of it next week. 
   So you know that spider we found last week... well the story just gets better.  Us being boys of inteligence we decided to bring it home, (Side note they are very harmless and calm.) so I could use it in my lesson during zone class.  And surprisingly enough I found a way to use her.  Her name is Shela.  Here is the relation
SPIDERS  Obviously people are scared of them, but why is that because they are wierd, they walk diferently, unpredictable.  MISSIONARIES   We are weird we walk around all day with shirts and ties all day under the hot sun, people are scared of us because we are the unknown.  That is why we must share with everyone what we believe.  SPIDERS at least this kind are compleatly blind, so they have to use there sence of feel  MISSIONARIES  We can not see God so we have to rely on the promptings of the holy ghost to guide us in life to help us know and love our Father in Heaven.  SPIDERS  They are a little bit venomous.  Not anything that could kill a human but enough so to cause a small burning where the bite occurs.  MISSIONARIES we also must be a bit venomous, but in a good way, we need to work with boldness and the spirit so that when we teach our investigators they will feel a burning of truth and happieness. 
I love you soo so so so sooooooooooooooooo much
Con tanto amor
Elder ...

From Elder Jordan

Well howdy there ya loony toons,

              Well today I'm writing in google translator, I can keep thinking in Spanish. I have a goal of not speaking English for a full week. And if I speak a little word of English even I have to start over. So let's see what happens.

   This week as the other is super good, but also with many tests. Me and my partner are trying to find more people to teach. And we are finding many nice people, but that no more. The people who will be interested are the people are who have, many challenges. I think in the end these investiagdores, if we continue to help them feel the spirit, they will be better members and more faithful to the gospel.)

Alright that was taking too long, I will still be speaking in spanish for a whole week but writting is a whole other story.  

President has given me the assignation to be a district leader.  And I feel kind of like Jane on "Tarzan" when Tarzan meets her for the first time and she is like.  Oh dear... oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear.  I am now feeling a little bit old in the mission because almost everyone in my district is younger than me.  WEIRD.  I am loving this ward more than ever and my companion is the best.  He is pretty much as weird and nerdy as me.  So he is pretty much adopted into our family.  I really hope we have a least one more change together so that you can meet him.

  With our investigator Fanny, she continues to come to church with us but does not believe she can quit smoking.  I think she may be testing us to see if we will give up and just leave if she doesn´t conform to invitations.  Oh boy are we going to foil her plans, we will stick it through and I think that is what she needs.

I love you all soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much.

Elder ...

From Elder Jordan

Mi Querida Familia Bloomsqueeks,

                  This week has been one super awesome and special.  We have been finding a lot of people just walking in the street and them comming up to us and contacting us. And also us contacting others, but what I am trying to say is it is amazing the people that have been prepared and want to listen.  I learn more and more about that as I continue on in my mission.  We have contacted super poor people that gather cardboard and sell it for breakfast, and lunch, but are perfectly content because they have a happy family and people to love.  And then there are others with expensive shoes and spikey hair.  That look good but have nothing of real importance.  It really is amazing how God is taking care of all of us at the same time not as a whole but to our individual wants and needs.
  Right now we have an investigator named Fanny, she has come to church 2 times with us and has loved each time.  She always listens intently and clarifies if she does not understand.  She has been reading the Book of Mormon every night, even though it is super difficult for her because her eye sight is bad.  So we bought her a super size one, ( on each page there is only one word that fills the whole page, so to read a paragraph... yeah crazy right.) Ok so its not that big but pretty darn.  She was so happy and continues to read and pray.  We have not confronted her about it yet but I am almost positive that she smokes,  Dad do you know any tricks to help with smoking habits?
  On Saturday we had to wake up at 5:30 to be at the stake center at 7:00 for a special speaker.  We woke up got dressed and left and ended up being the first ones there because our stake center is just like a 10 minute bus ride away.  We got to sit on the second row behind the hermanas.  We were excited to have Elder Corbridge from the 70 walk in.  President Laycock told us he was comming and it is always cool experience to listen to him, but the thing that wasn´t expected was that right behind him Elder Cook walked in, and then my heart started pounding because I was only a few feet away from an apostle.  Before the meeting started he got up and said I would like to meet each one of you and so that is what I will do.  We each got the chance to pass by and shake his hand.  After ward when he spoke he said that he had had a personal interview with each one of us by looking into our eyes and he also said that he was very happy with what he saw.

  When Elder Corbridge spoke he said, today there are more than 8 billion people in the world and today we have the priviledge to be in one the 15 groups in the presence of a prophet.  Through out the whole meeting there was a beautiful and special spirit.  And I can speak for certain that God love each one of us more than we comprehend.

I love you all

Elder ...

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