"Forget Yourself and Go to Work!"

It has been an emotionally exhausting couple of weeks. I have felt resistant to being released from my stake calling and a little resentful toward my Bishop for "calling me home".  I have felt like the child, who's parents call them in from playing, for seemingly no good reason and everyone else in the neighborhood gets to continue the game. In my head I know that this is a church of change and revelation. I know that all things come to an end and these men in our ward, who I have sustained, are called of God. I even know that my feelings are wrong, but they have been there just the same, making the emotions even more complicated, because not only have I been fighting change (which you know I am no good at), I have been fighting myself. My prayers have been full of pleas to help me not to be hard hearted and receive the confirmation that this change is actually from the Lord, not just a "good idea" from men. The sad truth is that had this been my former Bishop "calling me home", or even our stake president "sending me home", I know I would have still been sad, but wouldn't have had any doubts, which is a definite indication that I haven't yet searched out the confirmation that I didn't even realize was missing because it had not as yet been put to the test.

A week ago, Friday, Mikayla wanted to work on a Personal Progress goal together. Normally, I really enjoy that, but even that seemed painful, because the release also put an end to my receiving my Leaders Young Women Medallion and I was so close to accomplishing that goal. However, I immediately set the goal to continue working and earn the medallion as a mother, which will just open another window of opportunity--an even better one. There were lots of scriptures to read and discuss and Dad and I were supposed to be going on a date, but he said to go ahead and he would wait. The first scripture Mikayla looked up and real aloud was Ezekiel 36:26-27. It said, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." And I KNEW He was talking to me. When Mikayla and I finished we went to Carino's and shared a plate of Nacho's while Fred listened to me bare my heart, which helped me to work things out in my head. Afterward we went over to Walmart to pick up some things for Eden, and way out in Eagle, I saw my Bishop standing in line. I had been waiting all week, scared for the phone to ring and now I was scared he would turn around and see me and say something and I would burst into tears in the middle of Walmart, so I begged Dad not to get his attention. But I know just the odds of seeing him there, so far from home, was part of a continual process of Heavenly Father trying to talk to me this week and prepare me for things to come. (I know Josh and Dave and Nate are all heaving huge sighs of relief that I am not in their wards!)

A week ago Sunday, before Sacrament mtg. started, our high councilman informed me that he was there to make the release official.  I felt strong and thought that I would be alright, but when he made the announcement and sat down, Dad reached over and took my hand and then the tears came in torrents. I tried to sing the sacrament song, but couldn't even see the words until the 3rd verse and then I sang these words: 

"As now we praise thy name with song, The blessings of this day
Will linger in our thankful hearts, And silently we pray
For courage to accept thy will, To listen and obey.
We love thee, Lord; our hearts are full.
We'll walk thy chosen way."

And there was another, very personal confirmation from the Lord (who never gives up on us, no matter how shortsighted and stubborn we are) that this change was from Him.

After sacrament meeting, the first counselor in the Bishopric asked if he could meet with Fred and I after church. I had a remaining presentation for a lingering stake assignment in another ward in a different building which started the emotions again and when I finally rushed back to our building Fred and the counselor were waiting for me. Initially the counselor started asking Fred about his current calling and I realized that it was more than small talk and for a brief minute I relaxed and thought that if they had called me "home" because they needed Fred to serve somewhere then I could totally understand the timing and just as I was working that out in my head, the counselor said that we were being called together to serve together as ward missionaries. I will not lie--my first thought was surprise then disappointment. "This was urgent?! And then he started to explain that what we were being asked to do was to oversee all of the young single adult youth in the ward, focusing specifically on those who were still trying to transition successfully. With tears he shared personal concerns about his own children of those ages and children of our Bishop within those ages and I felt a powerful witness that not only where we were being called to serve, but that we were being called together was truly inspired.  

Monday morning I started reading through the handbook to get a firm handle on my exact assignments, but there was only one paragraph on ward missionaries and the description did not fit at all what he had asked us to do. I need handbook guidelines (you know--the black and white thing) and was feeling a little frustrated, so I started researching "Young Single Adults" in the handbook and found the exact, very detailed description of what the counselor had asked us to do, but under a different calling, which left me confused. I showed Fred that evening and he was also confused. We were finally able to touch bases with the counselor and share our feelings and this morning we were sustained as The Young Single Adult Advisors/ Ward Missionaries with the guidance that our Main role and focus be on the first part of the calling and that we help "fill in the gaps" where needed in the second part of the calling. 

It has been a long journey, but I can honestly say that I am grateful for this opportunity. I am so grateful to be serving with Fred again. Our lives have become so busy that it will be a tremendous blessing to have our callings be "one". And I am profoundly grateful to continue to serve with the youth. In the last Regional Auxiliary  Training we were told that the church is now launching a "rescue mission" because we are losing so many of the young people once they leave YW/YM.  Fred and I are now an integral part of that. We were set apart today and both given beautiful blessings. We are motivated and excited. Our home teachers came last week and gave a lesson on member missionary work. They didn't know then about our calling. Answers continue to come. I guess this is a missionary time in our family life and we all have to "forget [our]selve[s] and go to work." I am grateful to Jordan for paving the way and to Mikayla for making it personal. Jet will be baptized on February 5th. He has come a long way--I think we have too.

I passed " the test" during ward conference today, as I walked through a hall lined with stake visitors, including the youth council with a few tears, but no regret. I am glad to finally be pushing past the "self" part so I can get back "to work".

From Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan Bloomquist
Date: Mon, Jan 24, 2011 at 10:13 AM


Howdy Doody Yall,

                 Forgive me for using spanish that you don´t understand, sometimes on few things it is just eaisier to use than english because that is what I remember of that event.  If I do happen to do that again, just copy and paste it into the google translator. 

  Ok so my high this week is that we got to go to the temple again but instead of doing a session Elder Grillone and I went and did inititory work because they needed extras.  It was interesting to do that in spanish because it made me think of all the languages that Heavenly Father knows fluently and can talk with anyone anywhere.  The church is exactly the same in everypart of the world because it is not just a church of man about Jesus Christ it IS the Church of Jesus Christ.  My other high is that we are working with a bunch of solid investigators right now.   Those that are progressing are Elias, Andres, and Pablo and his family. 

   It is so awesome watching them progress as they read and pray and understand more and more.   

   My only low is that it is so scorching hot here,  the sun is more powerful here because of all the smogg and pollution that is wrecking the atmosphere.

  Abe I am digging your car that is a sweet style for sure it is going to win.

Eden 5 scriptures huh. ok 2 nefi 2:13, 2 nefi 32: 5, 1nefi 10:19, 3 nefi 1:15 and nefi 4 chapter 1 [through Christ everything is possible and we are safe.

   Mikayla that is just really weird that you are going to be in collage in just a couple months I am kinda fliping out about that

Lily and Sophie you said you watched a movie about a snow man what movie was that and what do you have to do to fill up your crayon box.

Dad thank you always for your helpful tips from nam I use the nod and is that so trick and it has worked every time, except for those times when it didn´t work. ha ha 

Mom please really don´t worry the president has set rules for us to be safe, of where to go and where not to go.  And we have a goal for this year to follow the rules with exactness.  You and dad are the young adult advisors huh.  That sounds fun who all is on the list.   

  Well I love you ya bunch of crazys

Elder Bloomquist

Pictures are of  a family in the ward, a snowball we made from defrosting our freezer and our quaint little casa

Letter From Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan Bloomquist
Date: Mon, Jan 17, 2011 at 4:08 PM



Dear the best family in the world,
                                 It sounds like you have been having a wonderful sumwhat difficult week.  Bueno, para yo, este semana fue un poco rado, extraño porque hay muchas diferente sentemientos, entonces a veses es difícil a saber que cosa yo nesicito hacer.  Pero este es la cosa que no me preocupe porque se Dios me ama mucho y el sabe what things I can handle and what I can not.   I have some bad news that was depressing but I have worked through.  Some one stole my camera with all my pictures from the MTC and everything yeah it stunk but then I got to thinking that we are here to learn and grow so I can choose to be all put out and angry with the person or I can choose to stay happy and not worry about it porque it is a temporal thing.  When I was 10 I was riding with Grandpa in the tractor, when he was done he parked, turned it off and got out to go inside for the night,  but he left the keys in the ignition.  I asked him why he did that, because someone might steal it.  He told me that if someone need the tractor more than he did, to come and steal it he was happy to give it to them.  I don´t know if he was joking or not but it stuck in my mind until now.  Maybe who ever stole my camera has a family to feed, or maybe not but still Christ gave of everything he had and that is who we are trying to become like so why not start somewhere right. 
    Another experience and Mom do not worry,  but this week we gave a blessing to a girl that got stabbed It was really a powerful experience.  She was laying in her bed in pain while we gave her the blessing during the blessing there was a calm peaceful feeling that everything would be ok.  The next day when we passed by her house she was outside walking around like nothing had even happened.  
   This week commited two people to baptism,  one and older man who lives alone and the other a 18 year old kid.  They both have things that we will have to work out but there hearts are good and want to change, which is the start.  With good intentions lead to good actions.  BAPTISM !   We have found a lot of good people, and many of them are progressing.  This week I have been reading in Predicad Mi Evangelio sobre El Libro de Mormon en Capitulo 5.  El dice, that the book of Mormon is what we need to teach to everyone in every setting because if they recieve a testimony of the book of mormon then they recieve a testimony of everything else.  This is something I need to work on a little bit more.  As well this week we have a goal to contact 10 people in the street every day, it´s a little bit difficult and I am always afraid to talk to random people because I don´t want them to start talking really fast and then just stand there with a dumb look on my face.  When Elder Scott came and talked at the MTC he gave a really good quote.  " To accomplish things never before accompished we have to do things never before done." So this year I am moving to la proximo neivel.  Woot woot 
    On tuesday I got a stack of letters which was fun, one from eden and Mikayla, one from the Jorgensens one from Tessia and one from the primary kids and sister Jensen.  No Eden I have not yet recieved a care packedge yet, am I supposed to, if so what does that mean, a care package is that kind of like an essencials package does it have food shelter and LOVE?  I will right back an actual letter to each of you.  Lily and Sophie I have a favor to ask of you, would you mind righting Elder Grillone a letter or a poem he has not had mail for a while and his Christmas packages still have not gotten here.  It might take a while for your letters to get here but he would love it so so so much he still talks about your poems.  His address is the same exact as mine, Just put his name on it,  Elder Grillone.
    Ok so here they have something called "Manjar" that is now my favorite, I eat it with everything, it is cooked sweetend condenced milk.  That turns almost into carmel but more creamy so it is deliosious with crunchy peanut butter into a sandwich.  Its almost like someone saying " Hey I will pay you a billion dollars if you take this million dollars off my hands"  need I explain more?
  Mother I am pretty sure that the picture is that you are just young because first of all when we are knocking a veces we ask people to guess our age and they guess around 20 to 24 but the legend of the picture still remains I have shown it well over 100 times to people young and old and the same results every time "tan joven" or so young I have yet to show someone and those words do not come out of their mouth. 
     Hey dad if the car does break down again just buy everyone rollerblades and a bunch of ropes and with you bike you will be all set.  Aw dang, LUCKY.
    Mikayla I thought you were going to the tip off with Jared, no ? esta bien boys are rediculous anyways.
    Eden perdon a me por Manzie el es muy chueco!!!  Gracias por la direction significa,  thank you for the address
    Abe I miss you too keep being a good boy playing nice with the other kids eating all of your vegtebles and of course giving Eden a hard time, but not too hard.
    Lily and Sophie I just want to let you know that when ever I should your pictures to the chileans they always say "que lindo" or how cute,  you are pretty much famous in Chile now.

UNtil the next week I love you all around the world 720934852983475982347598273459827340 billion times
Love Elder Bloomquist

Perspective Finials

Yesterday, after insinuating for a week that he was going to the"Tip Off" dance with Mikayla, her good guy friend (with the steady, out of town, girlfriend) said she didn't feel comfortable and he pulled back. Though Mikayla knew there was that chance when she asked him, I feel bad because I encouraged her. The guy she really wanted to ask, got scooped up as soon as the dance was announced and I had the bright idea that since she was such good "just friends" with this other guy that maybe he would feel "safe" and now there isn't enough time for her to feel comfortable asking anyone else and they had all these fun plans. Grrrrrrr! He's a good kid and they are great friends so I don't think this will hurt their relationship, I just wish he would have been less of a procrastinator about his answer, so she could have made other arrangements. The dance is only semi-formal, so it is just church dress and because nobody would have to purchase clothes, I told her just to ask another friend, but she feels like it's just too late.

I have been sitting here feeling very mother henish and thinking that with the luck we've been having "it figures" and then I read a letter my friend Dallas and his wife sent us (remember Dallas from college? Dallas still hanging in mom's hall art gallery?:) Their oldest son goes into the MTC today (couldn't read that without tears) and they are expecting a little girl with Down Syndrome in one week (couldn't read that without a little gasp). Brendee (Dallas's wife) is my age. Their letter was so full of humility and loving submissiveness. I am sure it has been a journey for them to get to that point, but I felt so humbled...AGAIN (could I maybe just stay in that frame of mind for 5 minutes at a time so I don't have to constantly be yanked back down?!) I have felt such a sweet outpouring of the Spirit towards their family and these new challenging spiritual experiences they are embarking on, that I almost want to stop being mad at my Bishop. :) Brendee says that "Heavenly Father likes to remind [her] that he's in charge." I know, I know. So, I will stop wallowing this morning, go to town and find the most exquisite baby girl dress, and while doing very temporal things, think about the celestial, important things that go inside, and try to remember which one of them really matters. It could just be crazy enough to work. Of course there will be that constant distraction every time I have to roll down my window to get out of the car, but if George Bailey can learn to kiss his stair banister finial, so can I! 

"I'm Still Here"

Jordan shared a scripture with us in his letter last week: "God having provided some better things for them through their sufferings, for without sufferings they could not be made perfect." (Hebrews 11:40 JST). I have read it over … and over … and over… and keep thinking about what better things must be yet to come. :) Not only did our car break down in Cascade, the week before last, so did the driver's side door handle, our computer, the belt on the Geo, the garbage disposal and my back. Mom said to look on the bright side—we didn't have anything else to break. I was sure she was right until last night when I was released from my stake calling, and my heart broke too. I'm the only one of the presidency that was released, making it even more painful and the only explanation I was given was, "your Bishop has insisted that he needs you back in the ward". Now, I'm not only heart broken, I'm terrified. This "[being] made perfect" is "a hard rule!" This morning I went through my Franklin calendar and erased all of my Young Woman assignments that no longer are. Usually, along with the emotional letdown of being released from an administrative calling comes a lightening of a heavy burden. I have felt none of that. This calling has been a joy. It has demanded much of me, but I have not felt a heavy weight, just intense spiritual growth and I am so sad to leave the opportunities and relationships that have afforded that. I was taken a little off guard by the timing and being the only one released, but I was not completely unprepared. Last week I downloaded an updated stake list and noticed that of the seven, every ward YW presidency, but one, and every stake auxiliary presidency had been replaced at least once (a few twice) since our stake was organized and our YW presidency was called, and I had the distinct impression, that our time was short, I just didn't realize that it was only my time that was short, not "ours". I kind of missed that little piece of inspirational messaging.

But, life keeps marching forward and if you want to remain in the battle, you have to fall in step. So, we had a mechanic fix the suburban (well the part that will make it go, for at least a few more weeks? cha-ching), purchased a new computer(cha-ching), into which we installed our old hard drive, and happily saved all of our files (except, mysteriously, the power point presentation that I needed for a fireside I had to give last night and next Sunday and which Mikayla spent hours helping me remake), and Fred medicated my back into submission. We still don't have a disposal, can't open the driver's side door from the inside on the Suburban, the belt on the Geo won't stop squeaking (no matter what Fred does) and now our refrigerator light is blinking and our living room carpet is coming untacked, which all just goes to prove that we have abundantly more than our fair share of blessings and Heavenly Father is just trying to even things out a bit!:) In truth, I continue to learn (with many much reminders from Fred) that if we are obedient and do what we've been told to do with our money, that when the rain falls, we'll have an umbrella to open and keep us dry. So far, not even our feet are wet—it's just that I am so acutely missing the sun.

So, now what? One day at a time. This day I will finish writing to my missionary that I adore, pull the twin towers of green Christmas boxes into the garage, fold my seven baskets of enlessly sorted laundry, pull all loose Young Women ends together and tie them in a beautiful bow and then count my delightful blessings eight times (once as I read a weekly letter and seven more times as they walk in the door this afternoon), and hold on tight to brace myself for whatever storms think they can take me down. I know my Savior is standing in front to block the wind.

On lighter notes...Eden was crowned "Tip Off Princess" last Friday (which is funny because she's not even old enough to go to the dance), and Mikayla was brave and asked a young man (with a steady girlfriend) to the Tip Off dance (and though he hasn't officially answered, I'm sure will say yes).

Corrie ten Boom said, "If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest." I'm still a little depressed--working on being at rest, but in the meantime, "I'm still here.":) 

Happy New Year From the Mission Field

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan Bloomquist
Date: Mon, Jan 3, 2011 at 12:50 PM


FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMM

                 You all sound like you are having wonderful adventures of things breaking, lots of snow and other things.  Hebrews 11:40 JST , this one helps me when things go bad.  So this week has been pretty toasty ,  I forgot to drink water all the time and so I got kind of sick but I am all good now, got liquided up and back out to work.  This week has been way tight we knocked a lot because we don´t have very many investiagators and we benifited much from that we found a family that is hard core catholic they go to church every week without fail the husband has a big picture of Jesus tatooed on his chest and the have cruzes everywhere and on top of that they are sa weet.  When we were teaching them the spirit was so strong we were teaching the restoration.  At the end we taught them how to pray and the wife said in her prayer thank you for these two angels that you have sent and for the feeling that is here.  BOOM that is why I love this mission so much because I know the message that we share is true and that it will change peoples lives.  I figure the more people that I meet the more chances I have to share this message.  I am hoping this next we will be just as awesome but I don´t have to hope, It is just going to be that way.  Things are as good as you make them, right?  

        The pictures I sent are of Elder Grillone, Elder Perkins and I after a fútbol game up in the mountains. and the others are of New Years.  President said for us all to be in our houses at 8 because of all the drunks just to be safe, and we were.  But Jesus came over and brought some wigs and a fire work so we could celebrate,  he has helped us so much, he is like our third companion.  He can´t go on a mission because he is 26 but he loves just sharing the gospel.  We also read Matthew 24 and 25 because President told us to since we had to come home so early.  And I don´t know if he is trying to tell us something because next year is 2012 but yeah.... any way.  I love you all so much have a wonderful New Year.

Con Mucho, mas que ocho, amor

Elder Bloomquist

Christmas in the Mission Field

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan Bloomquist
Date: Mon, Dec 27, 2010 at 10:56 AM


Hey Yall,

        I´m so glad I got to see you all on Christmas, the best Christmas present I got, I am so glad you had a wonderful Christmas .

Fabiola got baptised yesterday that was really neat, she was so happy.  I helped me to remember that the church of Jesus Christ is simple we are here to have joy.  2 Nephi 2:25 and everything else is here to help us to obtain that our families, the commandments, everything, so if we are not constantly striving to find joy and help others have joy then what are we trying to do?  The opposite of Joy is misery so if not trying to find joy are we looking to be miserable because no one is ever at a stand still you are either going up or down. 

" All dead fish float down stream" - Bro. Christiansen

But any way I love you all , oh sorry I almost forgot on New Years they just have a bunch of fiestas y encantan tomar cervezas, y entonces todos son muy simpático.  

For the rings are they in pesos? in which the are about 1.00 per ring which is kind of expencive isn´t it? but if you found some like 50 cents 30 or 40 would be incredible.  Thank you so much.

Love you 

Elder Bloomquist

P.S. If you come upon any simple delicious recibies you should send them to me muchas gracias

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From Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan Bloomquist
Date: Mon, Dec 13, 2010 at 1:26 PM

Dear Crazy family in the USA,
       Life sounds like it is going right along, your Christmas
concert sounds like it was a heap of delight.  Has all the snow melted
there?  We had a Christmas activity on thursday and I guess I didn´t
sunscreen up good enough because I got burnt real bad so no my
forehead is pealing off and probably one day I am going to wake up and
my forehead will just be gone.  Anyway the activity was really fun we
did some relays with water baloons had some pretty intence tug of war
and then had some futbol tournaments my team won three of the games.
What can I say I guess I was just born to be an athlete,  I´m not
trying to brag or anything but it is just so hard when... YOUR the
BEST.  After that we went to a church nearby and had a delious lunch.
= People don´t eat dinner ear they eat a big lunch and then a small
snack called once for dinner, and no I have not eaten anything
discusting yet but I will let you know when I do.
   After Lunch we had an incredible devotional by President Laycock,
like always.  I recently found out that he used to be a lawyer and not
a small time one, he has had some big cases.  So he is very good at
speaking and persuading.
  At the end of the evening we all got together and watched It´s a
wonderful life it meant alot more this time seeing it, I just noticed
a lot of small neat things.
  Anyway that was that.  This week we have been working hard to find
new investigators,  when ever we contact people they always fall
through with the following appointments so it is frusterating.  We do
have to people or I should say they have become good friends, that
have baptismal dates Fabiola and Alan both set for the 26th of
December the day after Christmas, so that will be fun.  But the had
those dates set before I even got here so I didn´t really have
anything to do with those but we still visit them often to keep them
excited for their baptisms.
    Random fact when ever we teach lessons or go into members houses I
show them pictures of my family and when they get to the picture of
you, mom sitting on the bench with me at the provo temple they have
every time asked me if you were either my sister or my girlfriend, and
then they flip out and think that I am lying when I say that it is my
mother, one lady didn´t believe me for a long time and thought I was
lying.   They all ask what you eat, and say you are so beautiful and
young, so I am pretty proud.
     So on Saturday Elder Lyman and I got a call to give talks on
Sunday for 15 minutes each, needless to say my life was shortend about
ten years.  I talked about Christmas and the Greatest Gifts that God
has given us The Holy Ghost and his son Jesus Christ.
To answer the rest of your questions I have not had anything thrown at
me,  there are many dogs here but I have only been afraid for my life
twice and those dogs were both behind bars so everything is good for
the most part the dogs are pretty small.
About the pictures (last week) the one of the back yard is at my
house and the other is in another sector, we don´t have bikes in our
sector we were just borrowing the bikes, but good eye dad, good eye.
I havn´t taken very many pictures because I feel like a tourist when
ever I do but I will try to get better at doing that.  These pictures
are of my pention I will get much more to you next week of my area and
stuff but for now, I love you, God speed and keep up the good work.
Elder Jordan Bloomquist

I Am In Chile!

Dear Family,

 I would like to start out with a cool fact.  ¡I am in Chile ahora!  and I love every bit of it.  I don´t know where to start.  The first day my companion was really sick so we had to stay inside all day and I just studied all day so not to fun.  Our Pention is small and not to cozy but I like it like that because we are motivated to get out and work as fast as we can ha ha.  To take a warm shower here you have to turn on the gas heater ,califont, outside and the water is turned on outside as well so that is pretty fun.  Insted of knocking on doors here we stand at the gate and say ALO or tap on the gate with a peso.  Everyone here has gates and on top of every gate is metal spikes, or if it is a cement wall they have shards of glass and or barbed wire.  I feel pretty safe at night when I lock our gate with spikes and then lock the three deadbolts on our door. 

   The people here are magnificently wonderful but they don´t speak spanish, they speak Chilean which has some of the same words but none of the same sound.  Everyday I learn more though and I am loving it.  My companions name is Elder Lyman and he is the district leader so on Saturday we went to a different sector so he could do some baptismal interviews , the pictures are when we were in that area,  We went to the house of one little girl that was going to get an interview but it was more like a shack kind of like what josh and Becky camped in while there house was being build except they have dirt floors and they have been living there for 11 years now.  We have a couple investigators right now but the biggest problem here is less actives so we go visit them and try to get them regenerated.  They speak so fast and sometimes it is frustrating because most of the time I cant understand what they are saying so I look to my companion he will say the same exact thing in spanish and I will understand him.  But I am working hard to get things down.  It is summer here right now and everyone is singing Christmas songs and have Christmas lights up so it is confusing my little brain that I gots me self inside my head.   Couldn´t be more happy unless all of you guys were here too,  we will have to go on vacation here someday.  

I love you all 

Elder Bloomquist

P.S. 

My address is 

Elder Bloomquist

Chile Santiago East Mission

Pedro de Valdivia 1423

Providencia

29 Santiago 29

Chile

P.P.S.  Just a side note it takes two to three weeks for mail here and a helpful hint if you send a box or letter or anything,  tape a picture of the virgin mary on the seems and no one will touch it,  the will drill through the side before they cut up a picture of her. 

Many Magical Moments

This week offered many magical moments. The first and best being that Jordan called on Monday evening. Of course we were anticipating it, so every time the phone rang my heart would skip a beat and then, when it wasn't him we couldn't help but try to rush people off of the phone. Then Mikayla's seminary teacher called with technical difficulties getting his eclesiatical endorsement to go through online and the deadline was that day, so she had to try and work it out quickly. Luckily Jordan thought to call Fred's cell phone, when the line was busy and I picked it up. There is definitely something magical about hearing your child on the phone after a long absense. He asked us to call him right back and gave us a payphone number. We kept trying to call the number but it would be busy or wouldn't ring through. We tried for 10 minutes and then started panicking, so we looked up the number for the airport we thought he was probably at and asked them to page overhead for him to call back home and then we decided we better say a prayer. So we knelt down and I got as far as addressing Heavenly Father when the phone rang, so, knowing that sometimes all he needs is to hear the thoughts of our hearts, not our words, I closed the prayer and answered the phone. He had a phone card so we were able to talk for about 30 minutes, with him on speaker phone and us passing the phone. He sounded so good. I especially loved hearing him talk to Mikayla about his experiences with his "fake" investigator in the MTC and her real investigator here and he cried. When you invest your heart into something, nothing is "fake".

Another magical event was our snow day on Wednesday. Even Fred got a snowday--somewhat. He still had to record a 2 hour video stream lecture online, but still had time to pull the kids and all their friends around on sleds for a few hours and build an impressive igloo (when I looked out Fred, Abe, Lily, Sophie and Eden were all inside and Eden said she could stand up inside). I didn't go inside because the thought of crawling through that small entrance and being surrounded by all that heavy snow made me claustrophobic, but I was impressed. We got our Christmas tree up and I decorated the whole house while everyone was sledding. We did miss Jordan when it was time to get all of the Christmas boxes down out of the garage attic. He used to jump up to the hole, lift himself up and inside and then lift everything down. Of course we had to get down the big ladder and Fred had to climb it this year, but the end result was just as exciting--opening boxes of magic and memories. We spent the whole day as a family, with cinnamon candles burning, 8" of white outside, Christmas music blaring. Every other activity, besides school was also canceled, which meant Abe had no scouts, and Mikayla, Eden and I had no mutual. It was a perfect day. The kids were hoping to duplicate it on Thursday, but magic is a fleeting thing.

Friday the missionaries came over for dinner. We have a threesome here, because one Elder is waiting for his visa to Mexico to come through and is being mentored in Spanish by one of the companionship. They were delightful young men. You could tell by their conversations that they were very obedient missionaries and full of the Spirit. I thought of Jordan when I prepared dinner and cooked an entire crockpot full of b-b-q chicken for sandwiches. I bought huge buns and toasted them with cheese and they each had two enormous sandwiches. Fred's first wasn't even as big as one of theirs. It was fun to see them enjoy their dinner and think about someone feeding Jordan in Chile. The Igloo was still intact thought it had shrunk considerably and they were excited to take pictures of it. The most adventurous one crawled inside with his suit (that would have been Jordan). They are still little boys in some ways, but you can't help but enjoy watching them entertain themselves in the only way they can for these 2 years and their inspiring message afterwards proved their depth and maturity. Having Jordan on a mission sure makes "feeding the missionaries" take on a whole new dimension of enjoyment.

Of course they asked if we knew anyone who they could teach and we told them Mikayla had a friend she was working with. They surprised us by asking if his name was Jet? Minutes prior to coming over they had received a phone call from our ward mission leader, who said our Bishop had asked him to call and ask them to call Jet. They did and he responded positively to them, but shared that he was worried about his parents reaction. He is 18 so doesn't technically need parental permission to be taught, but I can't help thinking of his mother's heart and how she must be worrying about her son being involved in something that must scare her. I think I will ask Jet's permission to go talk to her. Of course we offered out home for discussions and the missionaries called back Saturday morning with an appointment for this Monday evening. I think Mikayla is still a bit in shock from the whole emotional whirlwind of this experience. I don't think she was prepared for how personal missionary work is. It has been such a uniting experience for her to share back and forth with Jordan.

Fred flies out to Las Vegas tonight for a RT conference right before the 1st Presidency Devotional. It seems like he has missed it for the last few years, because of these conferences, but they are mandatory and useful for him. He never enjoys the atmosphere thought and always tries to find a way for me to go with him, so he doesn't have to endure it alone. It's just so expensive to "be a support" that I haven't been able to justify it. I'll just have to be a long distance support--but maybe one year we'll be able to make it work. I'm not happy to have him gone until Thursday. I know Lori does it constantly, but it doesn't make it any more fun. I'll be so happy when he's home. Even alone, I'm looking forward to the Christmas Devotional immensely--that is always the true start to the "meaning of the season".

The Igloo on Thursday morning

The Elders and Igloo--significantly shrunken on Friday night

The first of two teeth --lost in two days

--
Posted By Bloomers to KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES at 12/05/2010 10:41:00 AM

Hello from the Santiago East Mission!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Chile Santiago East Mission <2013444@ldschurch.org>
Date: Wed, Dec 1, 2010 at 3:54 PM
Subject: Hello from the Santiago East Mission!
To: "fredbloo92@gmail.com" <fredbloo92@gmail.com>, "crogys@gmail.com" <crogys@gmail.com>

Dear Brother and Sister Bloomquist,

We are happy to report the safe arrival of your son to the Chile Santiago East Mission.  We feel blessed to have the opportunity to work closely with him in this part of the Lord's vineyard. We are excited to share this great mission experience with you and your missionary and are confident that blessings await your entire family as a result of your consecration of time talents and resources to make this mission service possible.  Please know of our sincere concern for the welfare and eternal progress for Elder Bloomquist.  We pledge our untiring efforts to make this experience both meaningful and successful for your missionary.

                                                                                  With love,                                                                                                                                                   

           President and Sister Laycock

Attached is a letter from your missionary and a photo with us of when he arrived.  Enjoy browsing our mission website by clicking on the following link: 

                   www.santiagomissioneast.blogspot.com

I Think I Can...I Think I Can...I Think I Can

What a whirlwind couple of weeks. It was nice to be able to relax  over the Thanksgiving holiday and breath normally.

It's interesting that as I am trying to figure out how to simplify, the climate of my life becomes immediately more intense. It started, over the last few weeks with an assignment to put together the dinner for a Stake Formal. Food planning (especially for large groups) is not my area of comfort, but my President had other responsibilities and her other counselor was getting a missionary ready to leave, so when she looked around, I was what was left. Then the flu bug hit hard, so a week was gone before I had even finalized the menu and in the midst of that I was given the assignment to teach at Auxiliary Training, which I don't normally mind, but it takes intense focus for me and I get a bit one trackish and I had two track s and two trains and well you know what happens to my stress levels.

I knew my brain had hit emotional overdrive capacity when I got so immersed in the details of those responsibilities that I didn't realize the time until I had missed the daily letter post deadline on DearElder.com for the first time since Jordan has been out, and I cried.  That was on a Wednesday.

By the following Thursday afternoon I had finalized the menu, purchased the food, was wise enough, (or overextended enough) to start delegating sufficiently so I could let go of the majority of those responsibilities until Saturday and start focusing on my lesson for the following Thursday which I was getting no inspiration for because I was too busy and because the subject was difficult.  Sis. Fisher had asked me to talk about Pres. Monson's R.S. talk on judging and bring that into a YW/Leader context. First of all, I hate hypocrisy (especially my own) and secondly how do you expound on the prophet's message, especially when it is still so fresh. After the worldwide training I tried to wriggle out of the assignment by noticing that training was now only mandated once a year, but because it was already planned and because there was a provision in the handbook  for more training if needed our stake presidency gave us permission to move forward and Sis. Fisher, my president felt it was important to follow through on a mandate from Salt Lake during Regional Training to put emphasis on the Y.W./ R.S. transition, which they have now deemed a "rescue operation".  My portion of the training just happened to be a small part of that evening.

I got no inspiration until Friday evening on my date with Fred. We had gone birthday shopping for Eden and were walking through an aisle with cosmetic mirrors and both looked into some super magnified models and started making some self evaluations and the inspiration started pouring in. It was a strenuous week to pull it all together but I used mirrors, windows, magnifying glasses, reading glasses, and camera lenses as an object lesson on judging and how we "see" the world around us. Mikayla gave  me permission to make a power point presentation using photos of her to show how perspective is everything in our judgments of ourselves and which always overflows into judgments of others. Some of the pictures were not flattering, but she didn't seem to mind—I think that's because she knows who she is and isn't worried about what people might think; I used that concept in my training as well.  It turned out well. The Spirit was there and I think we all learned something and were moved to be better because of the prophets message, so it was worth all of the stress of preparation. It is a lot of stress for 20 minutes, but it's a tall order to leave people with the feeling that it was a meeting worth leaving their families for and without the preparation the spirit is not there. Unfortunately, I am still working on making my family feel like it is worth it.

 One of the wards in our stake has decided to earn the Young Women's in Excellence by proxy for a sweet high school senior who has Down Syndrome, named Brooklyn Lowell. They have been working on it for some time now and are striving to award her an honorary medallion for Christmas.  I asked if I could be a part of that, so I am working on part of her Personal Progress along with my own…it is such a neat experience to do this for her. They have told her what they are doing and she is SO EXCITED!

Abe has been going through books so fast that I am having a hard time keeping up with stocking him with good literature to read. Every time he finishes a book he falls back to something Star Wars (which I'm not a huge fan of), so I try to keep 2-3 good books available for him but he is so fast. A few days ago he finished a book he really liked and wanted to share and asked me to read it, so now I am reading a book about hatching dragons—not my favorite genre, but I like seeing what he likes and I like that he wants to share that experience with me.  I thought I was so smart when I reviewed a 5 book series that sounded like something he would like and each book was around 350 pages long.  I was thinking that would keep him busy for awhile. I checked the first book out from the library and he finished it the next evening and asked me to check him out the next one. After this, I'm going to check out Charles Dickens for him—that'll slow him down. =) Actually, I love that he's a reader. In January he has to read some historical fiction, I'm going to suggest "The Bronze Bow". It'll be interesting to see if he likes it as much as Jordan did.

Mikayla's best friend's father passed away suddenly last week.  We heard about it a few hours later and I picked Mikayla up from school and we rushed over there. She just cried in Mikayla's arms. It is so hard to know what to do for someone who is experiencing that kind of mourning except to just be there and let them know that you love them. The funeral was on Eden's birthday, right after an early morning youth temple trip so we weren't able to switch gears and make it "her" day until the evening. But to her credit, she appreciated the day for what it was and made it all a beautiful experience. I was proud of her.

She made it past auditions and into two of the 2011 Music Theatre of Idaho productions. She will be Betsy in "The Secret Garden" at the end of April-beginning of May, and an extra in the Wizard of Oz the end of October-beginning of November. There were over 300 people who auditioned and without any experience I think she has been very successful. She is excited—I am nervous. I will stick with her like glue and we'll see what the next year has in store and then decide whether to pursue that opportunity or not. It should be a wild ride. Because the plays are performed in the Nampa Civic Center they are a bit pricey for a family, so we will have to start saving up now, so we can even go watch her, but it will be a fun, cultural experience for all of us.

The Young Artist's Concert Choir is going on tour in April to San Francisco. If Mikayla and Eden want to go, they each have to earn $350. I'm not sure how I feel about the whole idea; it's so much money—so far away from home. You know me, I just want all my kids to stay here in the back yard =) They are supposed to sell calendars and concert tickets as a fund raiser, but the calendars are nice but they are priced at $10 and you can get them at the dollar store.  They went out selling for a couple hours last week and sold only two. We're just hoping babysitting picks up.=)

Last week, one of Jordan's best friends went into the MTC. I had tried to prepare his mother (who is an emotional kindred spirit for the "drop off". She called me from Provo as she was pulling away from the MTC, to tell me that Jordan was standing  there waiting for her son Braiden. We were both crying on the phone. It was such a tender mercy for her to have Jordan there and such a tender mercy for me because as she was leaving she asked if there was any message he wanted her to take back to his family and he said something in Spanish, which he then translated to her as, "I love you Mom." She said he looked great and the spirit was just radiating out of his eyes.  He flies out on Monday and will get to call us on his layover that evening. I'm so excited and so nervous. This is the real deal.

Being together was so nice at the ranch. Playing with cousins in the snow is Utopic for my children and sitting by the fire, without the responsibilities of home, working on Humanitarian projects is Utopic for me. Thanks to all who helped. It was so great to have all of the young girls pitching in. It's one of my favorite traditions.

Can't wait for more family holiday fun.   All my love,

Rach

Thanksgiving in the MTC

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan Bloomquist <jordan.bloomquist@myldsmail.net>
Date: Thu, Nov 25, 2010 at 9:00 AM
Subject:
To: Rachel Bloomquist <crogys@gmail.com>

To all yall Bloomin family,

      I just wanted you to know that I have only 4 more days of winter and then summer here I come.  WEIRDA  well HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Tuesday we had a storm warning also they said it was going to be horrible so they shut down BYU and canceled all of our classes.  When It started let me tell you it was bad when I had to go outside I almost got 2 snowflakes on me.  Don't worry I surrvived I am still recovering from the shock though.  I hope you all have a wonderful time at the ranch.  Today we have planned some programs and service and a devotional.  I will tell you all about it when I call on monday.  So for the last 20 hours I have been speaking in only spanish sometimes I forget a word so I have to use hand signals but it is helping me learn much.  I have seen Elder White a lot this week,  we have the same meal times and on tuesday had the same Gym time.  It is weird when ever i see him because everything seems so foriegn here and when I see someone or something familiar it disorients me a little bit.  On Sunday Elder Pew and I were released from our assignment as zone leaders it made me a little bit sad because they have become such close brothers to me but at the same time it took a load off my shoulders.  I have come to love my zone and my district so much.  

    Please let Tessia and Dallas know that they are in my prayers each and every day.

" It's not just in the doing and the knowing that leads us back to God it's in the becomming, it's who we become."

                                                  - Elder Uchtdorf

My Dear Family I love you

    Love Elder Bloomquist

From Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan Bloomquist
Date: Thu, Nov 18, 2010 at 5:44 PM

Dear Family,

  So Today I got my travel plans to Santiago Chile  My flight leaves from Salt Lake City 2:55 PM and arrive at Dallas TX at 6:30 I leave from there at 9:10 between this time I will have the chance to call you so please try to be availible this is on the 29th of November.   I will arrive in Santiago at 9:55 AM.  AAAAAAAAHHHHHH I can't wait.

I was able to be a host yesterday which was really awesome but there were many a sad faces leaving and many a scared but happy comming in.  I knew that Braiden was comming in at 1:45  so I didn't have to wait forever I hosted 2 Elders before that and around 1:30 I went on the hunt.  I just stood toward the front so that I could see every car that was comming in.   I saw their green car and my heart just started beating faster.   I actually had to steal him from the Elders that were assigned to that post they didn't mind though as soon as he stoped I ran around and gave him a big hug.  The rest of his family got out of the car and we talked to them for about 5 minutes and then had to leave.  He seemed excited but not all the way ready to leave as we walked away.  He went and got all of his paper work and his tags.  When he came out I took him right to his room and then we went to his classroom and dropped him off there he seemed excited to get straight to work.  I haven't seen him again but I will keep looking. I wrote a big hand written letter so I will talk to you then. 

I love you all, 

Elder Jordan Bloomquist

P.S. Elder Taylor says Hi

From Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan Bloomquist <jordan.bloomquist@myldsmail.net>
Date: Thu, Nov 11, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Subject:
To: Rachel Bloomquist <crogys@gmail.com>

Family, if that is your real name?

                So I don't even know where to start.  This week was so awesome and I keep loving it more and more.  On Sunday Sister Dew came and spoke to us about life here on earth and how it is so short even though sometimes it can feel so long.  And if we can be good for this small time, then we can be happy forever.  After her talk Elder Pew and I got the privaledge to go talk to her and shake her hand it was the most awesomest ever.  On Tuesday Elder Bednar came and talked to us about doctrine, Principle and Application, and the difference between them.  The answer to what, is doctrine the answer to why, is principle and the answer to how, is application.  That is four apostles in a row here and that never happens!  So I am guessing that next tuesday will be the prophet and the tuesday after that the second comming.  So you know I am excited and stuff.  I just want to say that Elder Grillone loved lilys and Sophies letters so much.   Mom you asked about my tie, it was the red donald trump and I looked in the lost in found but they said they would call the  MTC if they found it.  About the pictures yes I do have to print them, I cant get them onto a computer but is is ok because everything in the MTC store is 40 % off for missionaries so it is not expensive at all.  It is winter here now, there is no snow down here but the mountains looming over us are white caped so it is beautiful, I will have to send you some pictures.  I am so excited for Taylor that is so cool Aly looks like a fun girl you will have to keep me update on all the latest gossip. : )  AAAAHHHH another 30 minutes gone sorry.

   I love you all to the edge of the universe and back,

Te Amo,  Elder Bloomquist

Welcome Aly!

Introducing Taylors fiancee--Aly. Taylor gave me permission to copy these photo's from Facebook and Aly promised to send me more.
See the "Did You Know" sidebar for more info. coming soon.

The Things That Matter Most

A few months ago, Eden decided that she wanted to try out for next seasons Music Theatre of Idaho. We agreed to let her audition in November and experience the process and see if it was something she wanted to pursue and we felt comfortable with her pursuing. There was an audition coach option for those who had never been through the process, so we signed her up, thinking it might be a nice professional introduction to the "musical" expectations. It was advertised as three ½ hour sessions to help her find music and give her advice and practice for the audition. Fred went with her the first Saturday and came back with the most exaggerated comments (or so I thought) about the building and the instructor, that I was curious and went with her last weekend. OH MY GOODNESS!!! It is held in the MTI headquarters which is a little old house that has been rezoned for business and is the dumpiest commercial place I have ever been in! I've only seen a few other personal homes that are worse, when the R.S. had to go in and do some "emergency" cleaning. You walk into a tiny front office that has papers and books scattered everywhere and then you notice the smell—a mixture of age, filth and animals and when the black cat wanders in and rubs against your legs that makes more sense. From there you walk through a series of small rooms that have parked bikes and boxes of what might be props or costumes spilling out and the most mismatched furniture with stuffing falling out onto the floor. I'm not sure they have ever cleaned it in all the years they have been an organization and I think they started back in 1997. When we finally got back to "the practice room" there were a lot of old, bent metal chairs set up, maybe for choir or orchestra practices and trash was strewn between them all over the floor and falling from the 3 or 4 boxes of garbage in front that you had to walk around to get to the tiny piano and computer desk that were shoved in the corner. Eden's "coach" was a young (looked like Mikayla's age) likeable, but goofy kid who we later found out was "Dicken" in the Secret Garden production that we saw a few years ago, so he's talented and had some good advice for Eden, but it could have easily been given in one 1/2 hour session, not three. Her audition will be this Saturday, and luckily it is in the Nampa Civic Center. Honestly, I am a little worried about her working with a group that is content to have home base in a place that is so loathsome. It makes me wonder what kind of people are in charge, but right now we are just getting our feet wet. For a local, amateur company they have put on some impressive productions, a few of which I have been lucky enough to attend, so they know how to entertain, but they don't know how to clean.

Marg asked me at the family Harvest party how I was enjoying my time without any kids at home and I had to honestly answer that I felt like I had less time than ever. That has bothered me tremendously and yesterday, as I was re-listening to Elder Uchtdorf's conference talk I decided I really needed to make some hard decisions and learn to slow down and simplify, so I can focus on the things that matter most. With my children gone I have felt compelled to become involved in every good thing that I haven't done because my children were here and now  I never feel like I have time to accomplish anything at home. There are hundreds of women who are much more involved in the community and school and church than I and accomplishing things just fine, but I have to keep reminding myself that I am not those other women. I have my own unique capacity. I was talking to Renee the other day and she was telling me that her whole day is scheduled, including time for herself and her different responsibilities. I know I would feel less pressure and accomplish so many more "real" things if I did that, so that is one of my goals today, to redistribute my time in more effective ways.

It is so much fun to get Jordan's letters each week. He e-mails us the short one that I forward here during his scheduled computer time and then he handwrites us a longer, more personal one each week while he is doing his laundry. He sounds so good and I have been flying high emotionally, regarding him, for the last three weeks, so it was alarming last night when our family was watching "Friendly Persuasion" and my emotions went into instant overdrive when the Mom sends her son off to war. There was no warm up, no prep time--just an immediate flash flood. My poor children were confused and worried (I was a little worried myself), but without even skipping a beat, Fred's arm went around me and he just held on until I found my pace again. I really hope it's not going to be like this for two years and I especially hope that doesn't happen in some public place, because it is really quite disturbing.

Jet came to church with us again this Sunday. He is curious but confused much of the time.  We take so much of the basics of the gospel for granted and teach to those who already have a deep doctrinal foundation. Even in primary, the little children have a vast understanding of religious concepts. I suggested that he go to Mormon.org so that he can get information at his own leisure and his own pace. He is reading four chapters a day in the Book of Mormon and told Mikayla he really liked Isaiah because he's really depressing and talks about the end of the world. It's an interesting reason to like Isaiah, but Mikayla says he sees the world from a very cynical perception and is really interested in things like the apocalypse. I am impressed that he has been courageous enough to come and find out for himself what our religion is all about. I found out today that he is enlisted in the army and will be off to boot camp as soon as he graduates from high school. He seems like such a bright kid, full of such amazing potential that I want him to have something concrete to hold on during those hard days that are surely ahead. His presence has started some stirrings in our ward--people wondering who the "attractive" boy is with Mikayla--but of course she is  not phased because they are truly just friends. I hope he will want to come next week and the next week and the next....

ELDER BLOOMQUIST IN THE MTC--
STILL THE SAME GOOFY GUY
(the captions are what Jordan wrote on the back of his photos).

"From left to right: Elder Grillone, Elder Bloomquist, Elder Thompson,  Elder Pew. In front Elder Hymas"

"Me in the laundry room"

"Elder Perkins, Elder bloomquist, Elder Pew studyin' it up"

"You can't get much better looking than this!"

"Self explanatory don't you think"

--

From Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan Bloomquist <jordan.bloomquist@myldsmail.net>
Date: Thu, Nov 4, 2010 at 2:06 PM
Subject:
To: Rachel Bloomquist <crogys@gmail.com>

Well howdy do?

It has been another crazy week here at the MTC and I am kind of crazy so that means I LOVE IT.  I love all of you as well.   This week Elder Pew and I got to welcome the new district and take them on a tour of the MTC.  It is kind of crazy I have only been here for about five weeks but it seems like it was a year or two ago, no joke.  This new district is going to be so awesome I can tell they all have such strong testimonies.  On Tuesday Elder Ballard came and talked to us, that is three apostles in a row,  and it is extreamly rare for two apostles to come in a row so it has been a real treat.  He talked about Mastering the art of communication, which means not just speaking but smiling.  It was an awesome talk I loved it and I love him.  So I don't know if I told you, but I saw Elder Haws here I saw Elder Mccalister and I saw Elder Leedom, that one was kind of weird I was standing in line at the book store and he had his back toward me and I said " so where are you going Elder?' and he turned around and I was like "what" and he was like "what" and I was like "what" ha ha ha ok so not really but It was a good reunion.  He is actually living in the same building as me, so kind of neat.  I also saw Kimball on the way back from the temple today and that was way awesome as well so this week has just been darn right beautiful!   Sunday was kind of fun Elder Pew and I had a meeting at 8:00 then at 8:30 then at 9:00.  We have Priesthood meeting at 10:00 with the whole zone and 15 minutes to the Branch president said he had to go to a meeting and asked us if we would teach the lesson. ( see right there... sOO much fun it doesn't even get more fun than that)  It went so well though and I am grateful that we got to do that.  I just have so much love for all the Elders in my zone.  After that I had another meeting untill 12:00 we then had a district meeting and got to share experiences on certian topics.  From there was the temple walk which is always enjoy able.  In between that I wrote my talk in spanish for an hour.  Then went to Sacrament meeting where the branch president picks people at random to give their talk.  He said that he would have mercy on Elder Pew and I because we taught the lesson.  Never the less I was prepared.   After that I had a zone council meeting, then choir which was a mind blowing song I will tell you the name of it in my hand written letter.  We then had a devotional by the directer of missionaries in the MTC which was awesome had another meeting after that and then went to bed.  It was busy but I loved it.   Well its that time again, mom if you get a chance and havent sent the package yet you should send me some of those harvest pictures as well.

I love you all more than anything.

Love Elder Bloomquist.

An Inspiring Harvest Weekend

I love it when the kids are out of school! They had Thursday and Friday off this week, so party night was moved up to Wednesday, Thursday was our annual Family Jeopardy, Friday we had a donut fry and game fest with Mindy and Kevin's family and of course the infamous Extended Family Harvest party was on Saturday. I really abhor Halloween and everything it stands for, so it is fulfilling when we can make traditions that are so fun and make enough of a difference during this week to drown out the evil influences that swirl around us and have experiences that are uplifting and wholesome and so relevant to the season but not the world's holiday.

Because of all of the car trouble we have had this week, we put off everything that usually entails trips to town until Wednesday evening. Amazingly, we found everything we needed for costumes at Savers so that Fred could take the kid's to our ward Trunk or Treat/ mutual activity, but by the time we got everyone home and dressed up it had already started and we hadn't had dinner. I happily opted to stay home and cook, since there is inevitably some Halloween that sneaks in to someone's decorations and when that's promoted at a church function I have a hard time not being irritated. It worked out for everyone. It ended up being very poorly attended, so the whole family was home quite soon and we had dinner and movies here, which we always enjoy.

I was a little worried about our traditional Family Jeopardy party on Thursday, because a big portion of the responsibility for that celebration has always fallen on Fred's shoulders, and he is always so busy. Every year he puts together the game and I put together our Harvest Basket and deliveries.  I offered to help with the game questions, but Fred really wanted to do it, so I couldn't ease that pressure and because I didn't have a car he ended up putting together our Harvest Basket as well. He found a few new varieties of produce that were fun to try. He brought home a Jicama, which is like a mild turnip. We ate it raw and was a big hit with everyone. We also had some tamarindo beans which looked like brown dried seed pods off of some tree, but had a soft raisin like inside, that was sweet and sour, wrapped around cool seeds that we decided to keep for our mancala game to make it more authentic feeling. Mikayla, Lily and I really liked it. Sophie liked it with a little more reserve. Everyone else thought it was a little strange. We also tried a bosc pear which everyone loved and just for fun we had a mango and a pomegranate and some limes. Because Fred had Scouts right after work we didn't even start the celebration until 8:30 that evening and because he was under such time restraints, the questions were a little more difficult than usual this year and we had to do some emotional maneuvering with the younger kids, so they felt as involved as they wanted to be, but it ended up being enormously fun. Fred bought enough candy for a small army and everyone got plenty, so only the older group cared that Mikayla won. Unfortunately, I never made deliveries a high enough priority until it was too late to do that in conjunction with our family party, but the great thing about celebrating Harvest and not Halloween is that the window is so much broader and doesn't have to be a particular date, just a general time of year, so I can still make that happen.

Friday, Mindy and Kevin's family came over and brought enough donut dough over for the entire neighborhood. It took us an hour to fry them all and lathered with maple frosting very few people had the self control to stop eating when they should have, so we had a lot of little kids (and some big men=) that weren't feeling their best at the end of the night. I was smart enough to stop before the gorging point, but they were delicious and even I had three. Mikayla is doing the Middleton Health Challenge on her own and was a rock and didn't touch a bite of any of the holiday treats, including donuts, until Sunday.

A funny thing happened on Sunday. I had put a nice note on our front door informing Trick or Treaters that we had celebrated Harvest on Saturday, and everyone honored that by not knocking on our door, so I didn't even realize how much activity was going on outside until I had to leave the house at 7:00 for a setting apart that was taking place in a sisters home in my neighborhood. As I came out the door there were parents and little children dressed up everywhere. I was wearing a black skirt and collared white shirt and black jacket and hadn't walked more than a block when a young father coming towards me on the sidewalk, bent down to his two young children and gesturing towards me said, "Look, it's a business woman." I'm sure he hadn't meant it for my ears and I just smiled as I walked past, because the only way that comment isn't quite odd is if he thought I was dressed up for Halloween. I guess I did look a little out of place in that environment, but I thought it was humorous.

 We have had such an amazing experience this weekend. Mikayla has very gradually, over the course of her high school years, created a friendship with a boy who used to ridicule her and any other member of the church he knew, quite openly and continually. He was very ill informed and relentless. Last year he and a friend started singling her out in their mocking, but because she never felt that it was motivated by cruelty she didn't let it bother her and as we would talk about it I could tell that he was a bright boy searching for answers and his taunting was a protected way to get information without seeming interested. At the end of the year, he followed her out of class one day and apologized for his taunting and told her he was impressed with the way she never got offended or defensive, but stood  up for what she believed. They have very different personalities. At the beginning of this year, the student body voted on about 20 categories for "Hall of Fame" pictures for the upcoming yearbook. Mikayla and her friend, whose name is Jet, were both "labeled". She as "The Most Laid Back" and he as "Most Likely to Take Over the World". They have had classes together this year that have leant to their talking openly about their very different views and opinions. He has shared enough about his family with her to see that he comes from a broken home and jumps back and forth between parents. He has a sister who is extremely liberal, a father who seems to vigorously believe in nothing and a mother who professes to be Methodist but not actively. He would profess to be liberal and atheistic sometimes as they would talk about politics in government or religion in history, but one day they took a test in class that categorized their political views and Mikayla told him she bet he was more conservative than he thought. They both ended up ranking as moderate conservatives, which kind of shook him up.

This past Tuesday Jet informed Mikayla that he was going to church with her this week. Needless to say, she was a bit surprised--so was I. On Wednesday I met him in the library. I was checking out books and he came in the front door, grabbed a book and approached Mikayla in a way that, though I didn't know who he was, I could tell they were comfortable friends. They made some small talk about their different book choices and I overheard him say that he wanted to read something a little shorter than his last 1000 page book, which picqued my interest. When I looked at his hands, I noticed that he was holding onto an Ernest Hemingway, which isn't the most common choice for the average high schooler, unless it's assigned, so when he approached the desk to check it out, I made a snarky comment about someone actually reading Ernest Hemmingway on purpose and he laughed good naturedly and left. Only then, as Mikayla said goodbye and used his name did I realize who it was and I was a little taken back.

On Sunday, Mikayla and Eden picked him up for church in the truck. He had asked her what to wear and was dressed appropriately. Mikayla was as calm as anything, while my stomach was churning wondering what his perception would be. Of course, I shouldn't have worried, the Lord knew he was going to be there and the entire bishopric spoke in sacrament mtg. on some of the basic essentials of the gospel. He doesn't have much of a religious foundation and asked questions through the entire meeting. He even asked questions during the prayer until he realized what was going on. In Mikayla's Sunday school class the lesson was on the twelve tribes of  Israel, so he was completely lost, but not too shy to ask lots of questions. And then, perfectly, because it was the 5th Sunday the YM/YW met together the last hour and a member of the Bishopric taught about the Proclamation on the Family. It was fun to be there, sitting by Mikayla, watching him participate and her guide him through the whole process. After the mtg. he was surrounded by leaders and youth, many who he knew because it is such a small town. Afterwards, I asked him how he was feeling about the whole experience and he said he was completely overwhelmed. I asked him what he was overwhelmed by and he said that he just didn't know much about religion and it seemed that there were so many basic things that everyone seemed to know, but he didn't understand at all. Fred asked him if he would like to have a Book of Mormon to give him a base reference for all of it and he was very perceptive and seemed quite appreciative when Fred produced a copy for him and said, "I am definitely going to read this." When Mikayla dropped him off, he asked her to pick him up next week. This friendship has been such a long and evolving thing to go from a ridiculer/ ridiculee relationship to what it is now. Mikayla has been an incredible missionary. Of course we don't know where this will lead, or if he is ready yet, but he is so open to gleaning knowledge right now and Mikayla seems to know the right pace to give it to him. She did say she was nervous about his best friend finding out about all of this because he is very anti, though he was a member previously. I know he is going to have opposition because that is how Satan works, but this boy is no emotional lightweight and I am confident if he can keep his wall down and keep searching he will find what he is looking for. It is a neat experience for our whole family, but especially for Mikayla.