From Elder Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jordan
Date: Mon, Sep 10, 2012 at 12:36 PM

Dearest Bloomquist, Bloomquest, Flowerquest   THE QUEST OF FLOWERS!!!!!....??

     This has been a good week.  It seems like people just fall into our hands.  The other day we were in Lider, Walmart Chile, and a lady came up to us and said, Heeey I have been looking for you guys,  my daugter wants to be baptised when can you come to my house...  After we cleaned up the drool off our chins and wiped off the dumb looks on our faces, we noted down her direction and her fone number.  We have been teaching her this week, she likes to get off topic but understands what we teach.  

  Diego and Sebastion got baptised this week even though they are 9 and 10 they are firm as rocks.  They are humble and sincear.

Their whole family came to support them and almost the whole ward stayed as well.  Which showes a lot because I´m sure they were all hungry after 3 hours in the morning of church and it is right at the time of lunch.

  I baptised Sebastion and Elder Ramirez baptised Diego.  The service was incredible,  I am going to have a hard time saying good bye to them.  They want to what is right.  After the baptism Diego came up to me personally and said my mom wants to go to the store and buy lunch but it is Sunday, can I go.  I told him you know what we should do on Sundays but it is now up to you to make the right choice.  He seemed content with the answer.  As we were leaving I heard him explaining to his mom.  Their whole family are members but inactive.  So I am sure Diego and Sebastian will be a great example and blessing to them.

  This week is going to get crazy because it is the Chilean independance day on the 18th and so everyone invites us to there house to eat a BBQ.

 I love you to the end of eternity.

Con mas amor que pica la jaiba en Puente Alto

Elder ...

From Elder Jordan

Forwarded from: 

Jordan--Mon, Sept. 3, 2012 at 1:51 PM

Dearest family, I am so excited to pummel you into the ground, let me explain, you know when you see a puppy or a baby and you just have the urge to pinch their cheek or pat their head or squeeze them till they start drooling, well its the same urge but 690 times worse. When I see your pictures I just want to hug you till you pop. I hope you wont mind too much.
This week has been great, pure sunny weather, we have been walking around in short sleeve shirts all week. Delishious and scrumptios. I am so excited for the month of September, we have programed a baptism for every Sunday. They are all so excited as well. 

We stopped off at a birthday party of a little girl in our ward, I gave her one of the braclets that yall made for me. Only two remain. She is so cute she just compleated three. She say my name Blumskersh. I love when little kids speak spanish, they sound so smart, because I am always like hey I am 21 and have been studing spanish for two years and this little 3 year old that doesn´t study at all is making me look like a fool. : )

So Mikayla I was wondering what is ILP it sounds super awesome does it stand for Interesting Lolypops for the Poor just a guess, but I have a feeling I am very close. Or Illiterate Lumps of Pork, it has got to be one of those two.

How is school going for everyone, intersting cultural note the grading system here is not with letters but numbers from 1 to 7, 7 being perfect. Entonces espero que todos estan sacando puro sietes.

I love you so super much.
Elder ...

Fear and Frolic

Sunday, Sept. 2:

This morning I went to a YSA missionary meeting where we were asked to transfer all the less active branch member records back to the home wards, which means my list of responsibility just quadrupled. Then when I asked for my ward updated YSA list this afternoon there were more new names. That always gives me tremors. I am not ever excited about meeting new people under those kinds of circumstances (I'm a little reticent about meeting new people at all=) and it reminded me of a couple of famous quotes by Eleanor Roosevelt. The first was, "We are afraid to care too much, for fear that the other person does not care at all." The second is, "Do one thing every day that scares you." Some people are "natural" missionaries--I'm not! If there is only one thing that I have learned from this calling it is that it has brought new light to my inadequacies and also to my stewardship. The scripture in Isaiah 51:7, "Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings." has become a personal exhortation. It is an odd understanding to come to for a person like me, who has spent much of my adult life being assertive, sometimes to a fault, with people who are not "strangers", but then I have always had an aversion to the unknown. The sad thing is that we will have been called as ward missionaries for two years this coming January. The handbook says that these callings are for a specified amount of time and I noticed today that a ward missionary was called today, and over the pulpit they announced that it would be for the duration of 1 year. I don't recall anyone ever telling us how long we would be serving in this calling and maybe because we have this joint calling of YSA advisors our calling is a little different, but the fact still remains that we have been doing this for quite some time now and I still don't feel successful because I continue to be paralyzed by fear. Funny that! I would have never pegged myself as a "fraidy cat" before this. I guess it is good to continue to discover weaknesses or we would never overcome them.

Last week the lady in Lori's ward who is looking for a nanny on her yacht called and set up an interview with Mikayla. Mikayla had to get off of work early and then rushed into Meridian, but she's not familiar with driving there and got significantly lost and had to reschedule the appointment for the following day, which, unfortunately, probably didn't make a great first impression. The next day I went with her to ensure she could find the address on time and Mikayla felt that the interview went alright, but she was asked if she ever got carsick, which she does mildly, and that made the woman nervous, as seasickness would probably be an issue. Mikayla left a bit disappointed and I think without high hopes of getting the job, but it was an interesting opportunity and she's grateful to Lori for always thinking of us. I think this has probably made Mikayla more adventure anxious then ever! Mikayla should know for sure by the end of this week, about the job, but I have no doubt that she will find a way to experience the "adventures" that her little heart craves, at some point, and in some way. Who knows, maybe she'll serve a mission!=)

We have a young man in our ward who just returned from his mission last week. His mother was talking about having him home at church and said that having a return missionary home has ensured that she gets "called to repentance daily". How I look forward to that!=)

Monday, Sept. 3:
Today is Labor Day and we celebrated by going into Boise. We started our excursion at Powell's Sweet Shoppe, which is a cute, overpriced candy shop in a ritzy part of town that specializes in the unique and nostalgic. Our youngest children love it, so we wander down there on infrequent special occasions. It's about as far into Boise as you can go before heading to Lucky Peak but we met two families that we know in the hour we were there--one from Middleton and one from Marsing. Small world--same wavelength. Such fun!

We then headed to Julia Davis park to ride the paddle boats and spent that half hour jockying for place position and trying to find the largest fish. It was a gorgeous day for being out of doors and such fun to enjoy each others company.

At Mikayla's request we made the last stop at a thrift store to look for treasures, which she found in a book and a game, and then it was back home for FHE and Jordan's letter and preparation for another day of school. Good memories.

Quote of the week:
"You might be poor, your shoes might be broken, but your mind is a palace." --Frank McCourt

First Day of School

The Aftereffects of Mud Volleyball

Wash Down with the Hose (BRRR!)

From Elder Jordan

Forwarded from: Elder Jordan

Date: Mon, Aug 27, 2012 at 12:27 PM

Dear Crazy Bloomnerds, 
I love ya all, It sound like you have had a great weak. Whoooot woot, I had a good week as well. Dad I am not too far behind you, yesterday I poured a glass of ice water on my companion while he was taking a shower. He was like ooooooh but in a much higher pitch and more like AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. Some times it is hard to wake up in the morning so I was just doing my part to be a good friend. : )
This week we were invited to a stake primary activity. We took our investigators Diego and Sebastion, they came in there white shirts and ties all excited. The activity was about becoming missionaries. Each child recieved a plaque with there name on it, and then went through a mini MTC. Elder Ramirez and I taught about testimonies. We share what a testimony was and then bore our own. We then gave the opportunity to anyone that wanted to come up and bare theirs. Some of them were short, and many very simple but every single one was powerful. The spirit was definantly present. It was cool to see a bunch of little missionaries running around. Getting excited for the time when they actually are set apart as full time missionaries. It´s amazing how fast that time comes up.
We are teaching 3 investigators that have dates to be baptied in September. I am so excited for them. They are super excited as well. Two are 9 and 10 they are cousins and the other is 19. Many times they come up with deep doctrine questions like if we have a heavenly father then shouldn´t we have a heavenly mother. Whooo they always leave me squirming in my seat but I love that they love to ask questions and are interested about learning more.
Cultural note last night I helped an old lady put her garbage up in a tree. They don´t have garbage bins here, on trashday you hang your garbage on your fence on tree branches or anywhere else where the dogs can´t get to it but the garbage men can. niffty right
Next time you see dillon give him a big huge hug for me, and interesting that Erin is still single hmmm. ha ha ha
Well I love ya have a week of wonderful ness
Elder ...

Family Home Evening

Diego and Sebastion

Through Thick and Thin

This week:

--School started

--Peach Canning commenced--unintentionally

--Mikayla's friend came to visit Weds-Mon

--Annual neighborhood B-B-Q

--Jordan's friend came home from his mission on Tuesday and visited on Thursday

--A trek son, Cameron, had his homecoming and enters the MTC on Wednesday

--Sis. Stevens (1st counselor from the General R.S.) came to Middleton and held at least 5 different meeting for girls/women of all ages throughout the day on Sunday. 

Yes, it was busy and crazy and exciting and fulfilling and exhausting! Abe's school Open House was Monday and he walked around his "campus" like someone had just beat him into submission. With enthusiasm, all of his new teachers greeted him with, "Are you excited about school starting?!" and with apathy every time he answered, "Not really." What could I do but just put my arm around his shoulders, smile, and say, "At least he's honest." He doesn't like to see his summers end, and I don't blame him, but Tuesday was better and he actually came home excited about his day and has seemed content ever since. A Young Artist flyer came in the mail last week announcing the new choir season and I mentioned auditioning to Abe and he seemed slightly interested, which is HUGE. I'm just holding my breath to see if I can actually get him to join again without resisting. He's old enough to advance to Concert Choir with Eden and I think he would enjoy that age group much more, but we'll see if his interest lasts through next week. He's actually got a nice voice and the discipline and camaraderie would be good for him as he definitely has an "artistic" personality. Jordan LOVED it and I'm sure Abe would too if he is just willing to become invested.  Lily and Sophie are both anticipating choirs start with excitement and Eden can hardly wait. I'm trying to figure out how to let her audition for Premier choir as she wants to be in that additional group so much, but that would mean traveling to Ontario and I'm not sure that I am that committed with my time and gas. I'm still weighing out the pro's/con's.

Tuesday, our family went to pick peaches for a ward assignment at the church Orchard, but the lines of communication are often muddled in that endeavor and after an hour of picking the orchard overseer came down on his 4-wheeler and told us the peaches we were picking were too ripe to send to the cannery and just sent us home with them instead. The YSA branch was picking at the same time and the bins were full of peaches the cannery couldn't use and we weren't prepared for home transport so we just took home as many as we could carry in a single layer in the back of the Suburban and I have been canning and making pies and smoothies all week. A blessing yes, but not one I ever go seeking. This is one Mormon mom that will passionately declare that I do not enjoy canning!

Mikayla's friend Nathan, originally planned on coming down Thursday and leaving on Sunday, but called Tuesday and told Mikayla he was coming Wednesday. With peaches all over my kitchen and school starting for the girls I was a little anxious about the timing and I tried to get pristinely organized so everything would run smoothly, but life just keeps moving forward and I have limits and when he got here there were still peaches all over the kitchen and the frenzy of the first day of school was still tangible so I immediately discarded the idea of presenting a "normal front" and just announced to him that hostessing was not my greatest talent, that the nature of our Bloomer household was usually chaotic, but that he was most welcome and I would appreciate it if he would just make himself at home and hang on tight for the ride. I believe I sensed amusement in his eyes. Undoubtedly, by the time he left Monday morning he had certainly experienced the "real Bloomer deal", which, unfortunately, seems to me an intense and stressful kind of initiation, but miraculously, he didn't seem too scarred from the experience. 

Our neighbors invited us to their annual B-B-Q on Saturday. I'm realizing that I'm not very "good" at those. Even with the conscious effort in my head to interact with my peers I continually find myself sitting with and visiting the children and teens--I just naturally gravitate there. I really need to learn to be more friendly with adults. I finally did drag myself, with the teenagers, into the adult circle

Sunday, Sis. Steven's (first counselor in the R.S. General presidency) came to Middleton and held at least 4 different meetings that I know of, with different groups of women, before heading to Boise. Eden was in the first two groups--the first being an exclusive meeting with just Sis. Stevens and the 6 young women who are serving on the stake youth committee. Eden said it was intimate and incredible. Then Sis. Steven's met with all of the Laurels in the stake, then all of the YSA women (which Mikayla got to attend) and then all of the rest of the stake R.S. women (which I was a part of). She is a soft spoken, seemingly refined, emotionally controlled, beautiful woman who spoke all four times without "script" and carried individualized, powerful messages from the Spirit every time. How I admire all of those qualities--and how far I am from so many of them. What a privilege being in that environment was for all of us.

Lori called last night wondering if Mikayla would be interested in nannying for a young family in her ward, on a personal yacht, while they travel from Maine to Central America from Oct-Dec. I just about had a heart attack and so did Mikayla (for different reasons!) This young mother of six and Mikayla have started communicating as the family is starting the interviewing process. We don't know many of the details or how many young girls will be applying for the job or if the timing and salary would even work out for Mikayla, but she has always had that adventurous spirit and has been yearning, since High School, to join Green Peace or the International Language Program so she could experience travel and different cultures. All of it makes my heart quiver, because of safety issues, but I don't want to hold her down and this could be the safe experience of a lifetime. The thought of losing my girl right when my boy gets home does not thrill me, but I want her to fulfill her dreams. We'll just have to see what happens as the process continues and the opportunity is explored. My kids just keep sliding through my fingers and I can't seem to hold on. Oh how I want them to experience all of the joys and opportunities in life, but I want them with me too--the trick is balancing both wisely.

Quote of the week:
"Create the best life possible. The decisions you make determine where life takes you....make every effort...to get closer to Heavenly Father, to get the most education possible, to make...home a heaven on earth, and to learn how to manage ... time and finances....seek for any experience... to make...life happier and more fulfilling." --Sister Kristen McMain Oaks

Annual Mutual Mud Volleyball

Abe's the little guy in front

Eden drenched

Mud Models--Eden and her best friends Gabe and Hailey

BFF--literally through "thick and thin"

Abe is front right--Ready for home and showers!

Itchy Arms

Sunday, August 19th:

Abe was sick this morning so I stayed home with him from church. He slept for awhile and I read conference talks. When he started feeling better we watched Pres. Monson's birthday celebration on the church's website. It was a narrated musical extravaganza, including some of his favorite Broadway performances. Some of the music of the concert wasn't what I would normally choose for Sunday (the performance was held on Saturday) but it was all beautiful and uplifting and inspiring and with all of the spiritual thoughts and tributes scattered throughout it didn't seem like "just entertainment". One of the numbers was "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables. The song is so moving it always makes me emotional. The traveling Broadway company comes to Boise on my birthday this year and Fred, Mikayla, Eden and I are going for my "date". We are all so excited! 

Watching President Monson's celebration and seeing the conference center got me anticipating our family's Salt Lake trip to conference. We sacrificed our summer vacation so we could vacation as an entire family the week Jordan gets home. I requested conference tickets from our stake in April but was already the 40th family on the list and I guess they generally don't get more than 30 random tickets for various sessions. Getting in to a live session now seems an impossibility, but we made hotel accommodation that are non-refundable so we're still planning on going and soaking up the spiritual aura that I know will be permeating temple square...and praying for good weather since we'll be outside!=) Jordan gets home that Tuesday and we will leave on Friday so it will be an incredibly special time for our family, no matter where we spend it.=)

We had our last summer hurrah yesterday and went to the Discovery Center for the kids. Mikayla was at a ward campout so she wasn't with us but everyone else seemed to enjoy themselves. The Discovery Center isn't a place where I am most apt to invest emotionally in the experiments, but I love spending quality time with my family so I enjoyed being with them and watching their excitement as well. School starts on Tuesday and Wednesday so our change in gears will start tomorrow night. I'm grateful that Mikayla will still be around on her days off. I rarely prefer solitude to camaraderie--I sometimes enjoy quiet camaraderie, but camaraderie still the same.

One of my trek sons leaves on his mission to Arizona next week and one of Jordan's best friends just returned from his mission to Russia this week. I love being surrounded by these missionary youth!

I've been thinking about some of Jordan's previous letter comments this week, especially about the children of Israel wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, making what could have been a 7 days journey. I don't know that I have ever put those facts together before--they are amazing. I wonder sometimes how long I am "wandering" on my own journeys that could be so much shorter if I would just have the courage to be more obedient. Good food for thought! I need to be more diligent!

Mikayla's friend Nathan is coming to visit this week. I will be very curious to see if he can survive our family and make it out in one piece. Good luck, huh!=)

The peaches and grapes are coming on. Fred counted 6 small watermelons in the garden today and the tomatoes, cucumbers and winter squash are all but consuming their boxes and trenches and completely taking over the walking paths, so Fall must be coming even though the temperatures are still occasionally reaching 100 degrees. I won't complain about any of it.=)

Every day I wake up and think about my missionary serving and teaching and struggling and stretching and blessing lives (Chilean, his and ours) and am so grateful for sacrifices and the power of selflessness, but these arms are getting itchy for my boy!=)

Quotes of the week:
"The day obedience becomes a quest and not an irritation is the day you gain power." --Spencer W. Kimball

"It's not possible that the problems of this world be resolved by the pesimists and sceptics whose horizons are guided by the obvious realities. We need men and women who think of things that have never been thought of and who dream of things that have never been dreamed of, and who ask, "Why not?"--Spencer W. Kimball

From Elder Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Aug 20, 2012

Dear Mama, Papa, y mis hermanitos,

Today we received changes. Me and my companion are staying here in this ward together and we are overly content. This means that this is my last ward, and I know the time will just fly by because that is what happend last change. I am so excited we have a lot of work to do. Just reciently we had a sector slam which is where all the missionaries from this zone came and worked in our sector for a couple of hours. We got a bunch of references.

This past week we had our ward conference acompanied with some ward activities. On monday we had a Family Home Evening, we watched a movie and ate popcorn. Very inspireing movie and very true to the mission. Called the "Errand of Angels"

On friday we had a Talent night, I sang and played the guitar but from lack of practice I only remember two full songs. Maybe you all could make a list of songs that you like that I could learn when I get back.

The cool thing about the activities is that many of our investigators went to them and not only that but they invited their friends as well. One of our investigators, the one I told you about last time whos daughter brought her to church voluteered to come clean the church on Saturday........Um members don´t even volunteer to do that, this lady is as golden as they get.

This week for my studies I have been reading in the book of mormon for my studies in the war chapters. I have found out there are so many lessons that you can pull out of the battles and preparations and wars. We can apply it all to right know, because even though we are not fighting a battle with swords and shields, it is very much a battle of morals and standards. I was reading in Alma 50 about how Moroni was building up walls and pickets and ditches around the cities to prepare them for war. It says that he never stopped making preparations. I believe that the home is the same way. To protect it from the mighty attacks of satan we have to continually be making preparations to fortify the spiritual barkades in the same houses in which we abide, or little by little satan will chip away at the walls and destroy everything inside.

I love the book of mormon I know it is a book of God.

I love you sooo so so much.

Elder Bloomquist

From Elder Jordan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Aug 13, 2012 at 4:20 PM

Dear Family,     

What a great week it sounds like you have been wonderful as well a good crazy week much loceza good bloomin tradition.  Abe to answer your question the mission comes up fast and then it ends quick as well.  So enjoy every moment you have.  This week we had a ward mission activity,  it was lots of fun and we had investigator show up as well.  On sunday we had an even better turn out.  An investiator showed up because of her five year old daughter.  They said they were comming to church and were at cross roads with desisions to go to their catholic church or to come to ours, she asked her daughter where she thought they should go, and her daughter talked her into comming to our church.  I think they both loved it.  Blessed are the little childeren for theres is the kingdom of god.  I know god loves us and knows how to give each one of us that push to do what is right.

I love you so much

Elder ...

"Forever In the Middle"

Sunday, August 5th:
It is funny that the longer Jordan is out on his mission the more his letters home sound like he is speaking a foreign language--the spelling and grammar are becoming...interesting.=) That's alright, the personality that is shining through those words is still true blue, through and through, as solidly unique as it ever was!=)

I am a happy mom today with my kids around me physically and emotionally. The girls were up at Grandma's for the Granddaughter party Wed-Sat and the house was like a tomb. Abe and I went about our regular activities, doing many of the things we generally do individually anyway, but without the constant buzz of energetic activity it just felt lonely. When Fred would get home in the evening we had picnics and barbecues and occasionally went out for a treat, which was fun, but activities can never replace people. By Saturday all three of us were anxious to go up to the ranch and fetch our girls back. For the last four days our bedtime routine has been amazingly succinct. We read scriptures, say family prayer and the three of us are quickly in our rooms--not so now that the girls are back. It is amazing to me how long it can take from the time we kneel for family prayer and the time in which the prayer is actually started. It seems to be a call for visiting time and everyone seems to have something to say. I think it makes Fred a little crazy, probably because it always seems to be so late, but I love that we enjoy each other's company and that everyone together seems to energize us all.

Quote of the week:
"Jesus said several times, "Come, follow me." His was a program of "do what I do," rather than "do what I say." His innate brilliance would have permitted him to put on a dazzling display, but that would have left his followers far behind. He walked and worked with those he was to serve. His was not a long-distance leadership. He was not afraid of close friendships; he was not afraid that proximity to him would disappoint his followers. The leaven of true leadership cannot lift others unless we are with and serve those to be led."

 --Pres. Spencer W. Kimball

Monday, August 13:
This week has forced me to face the fact that school is coming again. As is usually the case Lily, Sophie and Eden are feeling that positive anticipation of new beginnings. Abe and I are melancholy about summer endings and Fred and Mikayla seem to be immersed in that land of middle ground. Mikayla seems to be enjoying her hiatus from the pressure cooker of college. She is at various stages of reading and listening to 7 different books of diverse genre's--all of her own choosing.=) She rides her bike over 17-1/2 miles to/from work 3 times a week so she can save gas money. It takes her 45 minutes each way, so she has to leave at 6:15 AM and rides back in the hottest part of the day. She is, as always, an amazing example of dedication and self discipline. She is just trying to focus on feeding her brain and working as much as possible to store up financially for Winter. I guess all of our different stages have their purposes and we all continue to stretch, regardless of how "ready" we are, and that is the important thing. I often feel the stretching process is painful and sometimes even injurious but I just keep telling myself that if I can just make it through this "run" it will get easier. The irony is that the moment it does get easier more miles mysteriously seem to get added to the workout and I have to train even harder. It is a crazy circle cycle! (And Lori wonders why I don't want to do more "training"! =)

One of Eden's friends was baptized on Saturday. The chapel was packed with youth--and more people than are ever in attendance for an entire stake baptism. Trying to fit everyone into the RS room to see the baptism was a challenge, but miraculously we did it (though I'm sure the Fire Marshall would not have been happy). The youth of Middleton are incredible missionaries!

I got to teach our Gospel Principles class on Sunday. None of our investigators or converts were there as summer seems to take it's toll, so it was a tiny, intimate group of ward missionaries and the Sister missionaries. For 45 minutes we discussed eternal marriage and the spirit was pervasive and the sister missionaries had some powerful comments that added so much. I know it is awful to say, but one of my favorite things about this calling is having the opportunity to "miss out" on the huge, often opinionated, Gospel Doctrine class in favor of this tiny, simple, doctrinally sound Gospel Principles class. It is often the highlight of my Sundays (especially when I'm not teaching=).

This past week our days consisted of school supply shopping, work, Olympics, Fred in Las Vegas, mutual, Eagle Scout service projects, baptisms, community movies in the park, and the usual mayhem that seem to ever pervade the walls of this home full of Bloomers. I will miss the steady hum--and often explosions--of family interaction when routines start to change next week.

Quote of the week:
"Whatever our age, whatever our location, when things occur in our lives…we will forever be in the middle…Yes, there will be moments of beginnings and moments of endings throughout our lives, but these are only markers along the way of the great middle of our eternal lives…Being always in the middle means that the game is never over, hope is never lost, defeat is never final. For no matter where we are or what our circumstances, an eternity of beginnings and an eternity of endings stretch out before us." —President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Our Odd Duck Abe and his "Magazine Masks"

From Elder Jordan

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

From: Elder Jordan
Date: Mon, Aug 6, 2012 at 12:14 PM

Dear Family,

     This week has been so wonderful, like all others.  We had 3 investigators in the chaple and 162 was the assistence, which for here is outrageous.  I gave a baby blessing as well.  One of the recient converts Cristian Montecinos asked me to do it, I accepted but was so nervous, all the way untill I got up on to the stand and instantly my mind was calmed and words feeled my mind of what I needed to say.  It was a testimony builder for me.  I think one of the happiest feelings one can have is to teach someone in their house about the gosple and to see them in church on sunday.  I wouldn´t trade that feeling for a million donuts from Krispy Kreame.  

  A couple of nights ago we were walking back to our house saludando a todos, and we met a guy from Russia that was speaking to me in English and Spanish both fluently.  He had just come from the states in BYU  helping with some transalating from Arabic to English, come to find out he is fluent in 12 different languages.  It was a weird feeling there talking to him, you could tell that he had a gift and he was a humble guy, he wasn´t bragging about it I had to pry it out of him that he knew 12 languages but it was cool speaking to someone with so much in side there brain.  I think that has been one of my many favorite things being out here is just getting to know new people everyday.

  Yesterday we had a sector slam, and me and my companion left with a joven of 13 years.  He reminded me of Abe,  we had a good time and were laughing the whole time.  Me and my companion were getting him cyked to go on a mission.  I think he got pretty pumped.  

  Well I, my fellow bloomers,  I love you so much.  

Love Elder ...

From Elder Jordan

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

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

Querido Bloomanitas,

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

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

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

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

I love you all bunches and bunches of muchness

Elder ...

me and my companion on peruvian independance day

my sector from a tall building

playing soccer

My greatest talent ¨the clover tounge

Highs and Lows

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

We're all so happy to have Mikayla home! 

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

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

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

Quote of the Week:

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

JULY 29:

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

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

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

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

Quote of the week:

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

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

ABRAHM'S SCOUT CAMP-OUT AT BLUE LAKE:

From Elder Jordan

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

Mi Querido 7 locos,

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

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

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

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

I love you,

Elder ...

From Elder Jordan

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

Dear Family,

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

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

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

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

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

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

I love ya giante heaps of lots amounts,

Elder ...

A suit I found here

My Birthday shirt

Me and my companion 

From Jordan

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

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

Happy Campers

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

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

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

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

Fourth of July Family Festivities

Waiting for the Parade to Pass By

Eden's Float

Miniature Horses

and of Course Candy

In Love with Middleton

Waiting for the Derby Car Races

Snappers

Enjoying my Children

Waiting for the Cousins

Trying--Unsuccessfully--to Separate Buckets for Chairs

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

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

Firing Up the Grill

Three is no Crowd

Good Company

Good Food

Sweet Cale

Good Friends

Our Baby Birds Who Entertained Us

Cale Enjoying the Raspberry Patch

The Big Boys

Bliss

Family Fireworks

City Fireworks

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