Missionary Moment - Chile Vina Del Mar Mission

Buenos días! 

How is everyone doing?? I hope all is well with everyone and that you all had an amazing week!

This week was super crazy for all of us here in Chile! We had to move to a different house which is so good. The other houses didnt have water and the one after that didnt have enough room for everyone so we found a house that has 2 bathrooms and fits the 4 of us which is really good.

We had a visit from one of the apostles which was pretty cool! I got to shake his hand and we learned a lot from him. He really is a good man, i guess that is why he is an apostle! I noted down a couple things that I need to do better. I am at a point where I know the things I need to know. I just need to improve those things.

We got a call last night from the APs. One of our zone leaders is going to be in the office as a third AP which is really weird. He has a special assignment that know one knows what it is. We will be getting a new zone leader here tomorrow I think and one of the zone leaders said I would probably be made a leader of some kind because the President has been asking them questions about me and my different abilities. No idea what that means!

I only hope that all of you will have an amazing week and will stay safe. You are always in my prayers and I hope that all of you have recieved my emails. If not let me know and I will try and fix that fast! I love all of you!

Elder Jorgensen

Here is a pic of the guys from the zone when we had our conference.

Grandma's Birthday Weekend

What an awesome weekend we had!

Papa and Auntie Tiff did such an amazing job planning a big 60th birthday surprise for Grandma in Midway!

Matt, Kaydon, Colton and I arrived around lunch time and the boys were quick to get in the pool.

They swam for 4 1/2 hours while Matt and I laid in the sun. It was exactly what all of us needed!!

The boys played SO hard. 

Unfortunately, they have an irresponsible mother who did not think about sunscreen because half of the pool is indoors and it was like 65 degrees. A couple of hours in, Matt recognized that Colton was struggling and had him start downing water.

We changed and got ready for dinner and the big surprise!

Tiff's cousin made the most incredible cake EVER.

It was so beautiful.

And delicious.

When Mom walked in, we were all seated: Matt, Kaydon, Colton, Dave & Tiff, David, Eden, Uncle Rick, Aunt Jan, Cousin Mark & Sheree. Braxton surprised everyone and showed up five minutes into dinner. 

It was laughter and joy and fun and love!

After dinner, the kiddos wanted to swim MORE.

Our kids were so exhausted!

The grown-ups sat around and talked and laughed. 

Uncle Rick showed us pictures of stars that were pretty neat.

Grandma was in heaven!

We had breakfast as a family yesterday morning, then headed back.

Happy, happy birthday Grandma!

Momming

It's been a crazy few weeks.

As I look at my days, they are ALL crazy.

Don't we all feel that way??

Yesterday morning, Colton came to work with Mama.

He secretly loves that, I think.

We had our Diet Coke, Mom did some work... then we headed to a few hours of testing.

When the man came out to get Colton for the testing, Colton looked at him and said, "No thank you."

The man told him that he needed to go back with him.

Colton said, "I don't want to."

I promised him I would not leave the waiting room.

He emerged just fine.

I went back to work for a few hours, then headed to Braxton's parent/teacher conference which was just a meeting with his advisor.

Mountain High has been such a blessing for my boy and he is doing SO good.

He applied for the electrical program at the DATC for next year as well.

I am so proud of him.

Then dinner, gym, laundry, cleaning, Colton time, etc.

This morning, I am at work for a hot minute then heading to get Colton for round two of testing this morning.

When Kay and X arrived this morning, they said that I look extremely tired.

My brain and my heart are tired.

This is what I do.

But with a broken brain, the evidence of fatigue is much more glaring.

I love this quote I saw yesterday:

I can do hard things.

And people who don't believe that I am doing my best can shove it!

Stop It

Yesterday morning, I took the kids to Starbucks before school.

I swear to you that whenever I take the kids somewhere, no matter where... some ignorant person asks me if they are all mine.

The answer every single time is "yes."

Then I get a weird look... every single time.

Sometimes I even get, "Well, they're not the same color."

It's 2019.

Unfortunately, after this picture was taken a bigger incident happened at the kids' school.

Je'Mari was asked to drink his drink outside. Colton was not asked to drink his drink outside.

Lila showed up at the school.

You do NOT want this to happen.

Colton was in tears because he is starting to recognize racism, but just cannot quite grasp it because my children do not see color.

He was broken-hearted.

Je'Mari was broken-hearted.

Lila was heated.

I was at a loss for words.

People.

STOP IT.

Keep your mouths shut.

Don't be ignorant.

Don't act like anything is any of your damn business... 

If you see me with any of my children, do NOT ask me if they are mine.

The answer is none of your business.

But, it is YES.

They are ALL MINE.

Lila would give you the very same answer.

Stop it.

Missionary Moment - Chile Vina Del Mar Mission

Buenos días todo! Espero que todos tuvieron una buena semana y van a tener una mejor semana esta semana!

Hey everyone how is it going? This week was pretty good, it was so crazy. The beginning of the week was just pure work and there was never time to rest or even eat because I was so exhausted. My other companion ended his mission and that made me the temp district leader. So I made the calls and did the numbers that kind of stuff. Then when one of our zone leaders transfered to the mission office I became the temp zone leader and that just about killed me because I was doing the district leader stuff and then making calls to all of our zone and the mission office.

I also had to prepare our zone because Elder Anderson of the twelve is going to be coming this week so the whole mission of Vina is heading to Santiago Chile for a day to listen to him. My new companion is Elder Jack, he is just an interesting guy. Don´t get me wrong he is really awesome and really loves the work but he always asks really obvious questions like "do you have the keys" when I´m in the process of locking the door or stuff like that. But its all good.

I´m really excited to work with him and work a little harder in this sector. I confirmed another person yesterday during sacrament meeting and we have a lot of appointments coming up too this week! I hope you all are doing well and continue to send emails! Love you all!

First photo- the other zone leader in one of our adventures.

Second photo- One of the views from our apartment

Elder Jorgensen

Starting Over

The stroke was a very evident, very visual, very tangible example of having to start over.

It was clear. It was obvious. It was a guarantee that I would have to start over.

Everyone could see that.

The question was how? When? What? What would starting over look like for me?

Would I walk? Would I see? Would I be high functioning again?

Would I be independent again? Would I be able to take care of my boys again? By myself?

Then, I sat up on my own.

I learned to swallow.

I learned to cut my food right-handed, bake, roll over, bathe myself, get myself around in my wheelchair independently...

Then, I took my first steps.

These are my literal first steps.

I will never be able to explain what that felt like in that moment.

I was starting over.

I was determined to be independent again. For me. For my boys.

I was determined to succeed at everything I tried to do.

But the stroke was just a very evident example of me having to start over.

I have had to start over more times than I can count.

So have my children.

Moving. Changing schools. Changing wards. Changing neighborhoods.

Adjusting to new family members. Then old family members.

29 surgeries. Hospice. Autism. Depression. Anxiety. ADHD.

Judgements. More judgements. 

In reality, every day is about starting over if we allow it to be. 

Every day is a new day when the sun rises and the sun sets. 

Every day is a day full of choices.

Choices to be happy or to hide from the world.

I have chosen both. Sometimes in the very same day.

I will be 42 in a couple of months. (June 11th is a national holiday at our house)

I feel like since the stroke, I have quite literally chosen to start all over again.

I have decided to define myself, to set boundaries, to set goals, to set rules for myself.

I love these steps of starting over listed below. 

They are true. They are valuable. They are simple enough to do when we are in the midst of pain and heartache and fear and lonliness and anger.

Just one step at a time.

One sunrise and one sunset at a time.

First we roll over, then we crawl, then we walk, then we climb stairs. 

Then we do squats!!!

Paralyzed and powerful. 

Sweet and sassy.

Strong and brave.

Surf Board

Kaydon has always loved wood work.

He loves to make things and they always turn out amazing!

I spied with my little eye this surf board in his room last night.

He made it in Wood Shop.

It's AMAZING!!!

Layton High School Prom - 2019

Braxton and Hailey went to Layton's Prom on Saturday.

They have been dating most of the school year.
Hailey goes to Layton. Braxton goes to Mountain.

They are a pretty darn cute couple!

Isn't she gorgeous??!!

Matt and I took Braxton to get his suit a few weeks ago.

Because he's Braxton, he wanted the pants to be much tighter than they were.

He had to go get them altered.

He is just the most handsome!!

Missionary Moment - Chile Vina Del Mar Mission

Good afternoon or good morning depending on where you guys are at! 

This has been a pretty good week! I can say that I had my first "project" as Uncle Brandon calls them and I can say that it was a success. I put some sense into him and we ended his last week with a baptism! He ended his mission working hard and I`m proud of him for doing what he could to have worked so hard. My new companion is Elder Jack and has been here for a good amount of time. Super excited!

I`m doing pretty good. I`m really bored which is bad because I have nothing to do. i`m staying with the zone leaders right now and we are in a trio because the transfer is on wednesday. I dont have to change my location just my companion which is a little less stressful. I helped make calls yesterday and today to let people know they are being transfered. One elder almost threw up so that was rough. I also finished my 12 weeks so I`m no longer a "nubie"! 

I hope you are all doing well! It is getting a little cold here but we are all hanging in there. Here are some photos of my "ghetto" and of the 700 ties that the zone leaders bought for 60 bucks and that I`ve been sorting for the past 2 days!

Love you all!

Elder Jorgensen 

Squad

Getting a good picture was not going to happen.

Meet my squad.

Big C, Tony, Dizz.

These are my people at the gym.

Big C is a professional competitor.

He competes next Saturday. 

Tony has his first competition tomorrow.

He still has five pounds to drop.

He looks like crap and I told him that.

I don't like seeing my guys put their bodies through hell... to the brink of death.

It was distilled water only until yesterday.

Yesterday was only diuretics.

Today is nothing.

He weighs in tonight.

Competes tomorrow.

Then he can eat and drink.

Dizz doesn't compete.

He is just there.

This is where I get my hugs.

This is where I get my giggles.

This is where I go for solace.

For real.

They are my people.

They are my sqaud.

Mama Update

Last night I worked out like I was furious that I hadn't had a good workout for a week.

Usually I work out to relieve stress and to allow my body to work as best it can.

Last night, I had something to prove... I guess. 

Legs and Abs for the win.

Going to the gym is my thing.

It's my way to get out stress and emotions. 

It's how I get in tune with my strong body everyday.

It's my time to put my ear phones in and sing at the top of my lungs, not caring a bit about who hears me!

It's my time each day to get a Big C hug... until next week when he is only putting distilled water into his body in preparation for his competition.

It's my time to lift and walk and press and squat and lunge and curl and push and bend and climb.

I am so grateful for every single thing this body of mine can do!

Stitches came out yesterday.

The exact spot looks so good!
There is a bit of swelling right above it.

There are certain movements I do with my hand that hurt like CRAZEEEEEE...

But that is just muscles all trying to grow back.

Fun.

I had a rough day Tuesday.

I was missing P after someone came in and asked for him.

I was frustrated about my hand.

I was hangry.

I was extra Heidi-ish.

So, Mr. Watkins made us soup.

I ate almost the whole thing!!!

Then I heard loud noises from the shop.

I went out to see what all the commotion was.

I saw big tools and they knew right away that this was Heidi-time.

I "helped" my guys with some serious work.

Then I felt ALL BETTER!

Stupid Knife

Last Wednesday night, I was cleaning out our candle warmer with a steak knife... as you do.

Stupid knife went right through L.A.'s hand.

I really cannot remember anything being more painful in  my life!!

Cut the muscles and the nerves.

In a blasted cast.

Tetanus shot.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Stitches come out tonight. 

Hopefully I can get out of all of this tonight.

Won't be using knives anytime soon...

Missionary Moment - Chile Vina Del Mar Mission

Buenos días! And if you dont understand the subject line thats okay. Just a question for all the youngens in Utah right now.

This week has been a little better. The highlight was obviously general conference! What a crazy conference, they were not messing around when they all gave their talks. There was something different about this time around I dont know what but it was different. I watched every other session in spanish to help improve a little bit of my vocab. I ended up just being super stressed out in the end but its all good.

My companion is doing a lot better this week. I snapped at him and ranted for a while and it kind of shut him up and he started to work! Its a miracle! We dont have a working shower right now so we have to wash out of a bowl which is just sooo fun you guys have no idea. We are hoping to change our house here in about a week. 

That´s about all I have not a whole lot to talk about this week. Here are a couple pictures of most of my study sessions!

Love you all and have a safe and wonderful week!

Elder Jorgensen

Singing Star

Kaydon was able to sing at the Priesthood session of General Conference on Saturday night.

This has been such a great opportunity for him!!!