Thanksgiving 2021

This year was SO different, Guys.

I was all alone on Thanksgiving and I did not handle it well.

Went to the gym, went for a solo road trip, went to play with my nephews and then I cried for hours.

Friday - all alone again.

Gym, groceries, cleaning.

Saturday - my boys returned!!!

ALL of my kids came.

I roasted two whole chickens, made rice pilaf, french cut green beans, caeser salad, homemade rolls and diabetes for dessert.

We played games, played with the baby, laughed, and laughed some more.

I look at the picture of all of us and I say to myself, "I created this. I did this." 

No matter what anyone says, I've done pretty okay.

I am eternally thankful for these people.

I am so thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I am thankful for our food, our shelter, our trials, our love, our sorrows...

I am so thankful.

 

Missionary Moment - Elder Jorgensen Dominican Republic West Mission

Hola mi Family y mis Amigos 

Hello and bienvenidas to some! It’s now been four weeks here in the CCM with only two more to go on Monday. I would definitely say it’s a complete understatement to say that I’m not to stoked to get out to the mission field just yet, lately my ability to learn more and more Spanish continually becomes difficult and stressful with a side serving of frustration every day. I don’t anticipate it to get much better anytime soon but I’ll keep on, and I’m still super grateful for this opportunity to do my best each and every day. 

These last couple weeks have for sure been something extraordinary, I’ve learned so many things and my testimony continues to grow based off of the strength of others. 

One thing first and foremost is my purpose as a missionary. When I signed up to be a missionary to begin with my first intent was mostly because I loved my Father in Heaven, which is still a large factor in my drive, but I have learned more fully through my short ministry so far that my purpose for doing all of this and sacrificing so much also dives into the importance of our individual Salvation that more than anything is something I want for everyone especially during these last days. Friends and Family, I can tell you all with sincere heart that my faith in Jesus Christ can move mountains just as our Prophet tells us it can, my faith can and will be used to share the amazing news of the Gospel and the joy that derives from the doctrine and principles that we receive through revelation and scripture. 

Other things include not comparing myself to others and not expecting so many things from myself too quickly. 

These last couple weeks have also been very hard for other missionaries specifically in my District, out of respect for them I won’t explain detail but humbly invite you all to pray for my district members for comfort, peace and the knowledge of the love we have for them and Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ share for them too. It’s not much to ask for but please head to my invitation. 

With both difficulty and great reward the last few things I’ll mention are blessings I have received from both family and temple work. 

Being able to call now and talk to anybody that I feel needs to be cheered up or that I’d like to enjoy a conversation with almost everyday is such a blessing for me and from what I have heard, it’s also been a blessing to others too. Although very stressed about going out to the field I’m also very excited to meet so many different people and share the love Heavenly Father has for them and with the spirit, help them feel the joy of partaking of that fruit. 

Because of that new opportunity I look forward to calling some of you and enjoying conversation, and with that please send in those emails!! My prep days are busy but if I don’t make time for any of you I won’t have any time! So please please reach out and let me know how your all doing and maybe..one new thing about yourselves! :)) 

Finally temples, I was originally super stocked to go last week but plans changed and I had another opportunity to go earlier today. I love temples, they offer so many blessings and for sure help me feel rest in time of need. I would also like to extend an invitation to you all to go to our temples often, partake of the blessings and see how much it can bless others! 

My last remarks here for a couple of weeks would probably be how thankful I am for all that I have starting with my companion (who is the best in the world), my district, my teachers, my family, and this Gospel that holds it all together. Struggle is super real out here (still in my house lol)  but I can testify that my faith will carry me in times that I have a hard time caring myself. I know this because I have received so many blessings already and I know that all will be okay. I love love love you all so so so much! Better not forget it! 

If you didn’t receive pictures last week I’ll resend them! Hopefully they go through this time haha

PS my companion doesn’t actually do cocaine, he just needs help lol 

 

My Babies, You'll Always Be

My Elder Jorgensen called me last night.

I had just walked in the house and noticed that Kaya ate all of my brand new Christmas Tree Ornaments off the tree.

I was livid.

Saying not nice words.

(This mama swears, okay)

And he called.

"Hey Ma. I just felt impressed to call my mom."

We talked for an hour.

He told me his struggles, his fears, his frustrations.

He was emotional.

I was emotional.

He told me some personal things.

I told him of my impressions regarding him.

I told him that sometimes God leads us into trials and hurdles because we need them to grow closer to Him.

I told him that I'm so proud of him.

I told him that he has the power to ask for the love and power from angels.

I told him that he is right where he is supposed to be. 

I told him God knows him and loves him.

I told him that I love him so much.

It's these moments when my now grown boys call me and just tell me they need their mom that I am reminded that I am just so honored to be their mom.

These boys will always be my greatest joy.

My babies they will always be!

 

Saturdaze

Saturday, my boys grabbed the rest of our things from my dad's house and brought it to our house.

Braxton was hoping to get my new dishwasher in. 

There were a few shocks/electrocutions.

He's fine.

It is THE BEST when all of my boys are home at the same time.

SO much laughter.

SO much joy.

I am the luckiest!

Saturday night, Baby Daddy and I went to fight crime.

We act like we are about five years old when we are together.

We text each other whilst sitting right next to each other.

He was informing me that my binos were on the dashboard WHILE we were sitting still.

So I informed him that his coffee mug was on the dashboard, too!

And he told me I was #1!

 

Face Timing With Bubba

I LOVE face-timing my boys.

Jackson always has amazing stories from his day and he's the best storyteller.

Yesterday, he needed to buy a boneless spiral ham.

So, he had me on face-time whilst at the store.

He went right to the deli meat and cheese aisle.

Bless his heart.

He got what he needed and made his mama laugh all the while.

 

Mama Gets An Office

When we initially moved into our house, Braxton and Mia had the master bedroom, Kaydon and Colton had the second largest bedroom and I had the smallest bedroom.

It's always been this way.

There have been times when all four boys had to share a room and they'd have the master and I'd take the other room.

I've just always been so grateful that we had a roof over our heads.

Well, Mia and Braxton moved out a couple of months ago and Colton took dibs on the master bedroom (after asking Mama if it was okay).

Then Kaydon moved out.

There was a twin bed and some cubbies left in that room, so Colton really wanted Mama to have an office AND a bedroom.

He and I worked on Thursday to get it all set up.

We cleaned and moved things.

He took apart furniture and put things back together.

He was SO excited that Mama would have TWO rooms!

And, it's SO nice!

My bedroom is for my bed and tv and clothes.

My office is for EVERYTHING else!

The boys are going to get our holiday decorations and washer/dryer from my dad's this weekend.

Last night, Colton worked to clean out our two hall closets to make room.

He is such a good little worker and the sweetest spirit!

 

Roofing It

Jackalacka sent me these photos on Monday with, "Hey Ma, we are working on the grounds of the new Orem Temple today."

I remember when I was a little girl, the closest temple to us was the Oakland Temple.

My parents would go on ward trips, which were always overnight.

The young women in the ward would help with kids.

When we moved to Utah, I felt like they were everywhere:

Salt Lake City

West Jordan

Provo

Manti

Logan

Now, there is one like a mile and a half from my house that is getting so close to being done!

There is one a mile from my office.

They are everywhere!

 

The Weekend

Busy, busy weekend.

Colton and I hit the gym after I woke up around 11.

He's the best gym buddy!

He goes and does his thing and I do mine and it's perfect!

Meal prep included protein balls.

They are the easiest dang thing I make EVER.

I usually get about 60 balls out of a batch.

Friday night, I spent fighting crime again.

It was a ROUGH week.

It was just what I needed.

Laughing until I was in the process of peeing my pants.

I could NEVER work graves.

Like, ever.

Mama needs my sleep!

 

Missionary Moment - Dominican Republic West Mission

Note: Elder Kaydon Jorgensen is currently doing at-home, online MTC work. He is staying in Sandy with Jackson & his nana.

Hello everyone! I hope your all doing well, it’s only been a couple weeks for some of us, but it already feels like forever, I miss you all so so much!! 

 

Online MTC is definitely not for me. It’s tough to learn the language, put out all of my distractions, and most importantly for me is feeling the spirit. Feeling the spirit in all that I say and do has been toughest for me. During these past couple of weeks I made the mistake of expecting too much of myself. Although this is mostly with the language I deciding to take moments to reflect on the progress I’ve made in the time I’ve been training over zoom. 

With prayer before and after all that I do thanking Heavenly Father for all that I have and pleading him to help me with the things that I struggle most with I have accomplished more that I could have ever imagined in such a short amount of time. Including, Memorizing all 4 main Invitations, Scriptural promises, The first vision, and my purpose as a missionary all in Spanish. The majority of our basic core in Spanish. I’ve been blessed with the single most greatest Spanish speaker on the earth to help me every night to give me confidence in my progression, help in learning more of the great language, and being patient with my frustrations. I’m blessed to now be able to say full and complete prayers in Spanish. I am blessed to have the greatest companion I could’ve asked for, in all that he and I do we make such a great team and there’s no one else I’d rather share the gospel with than him. I have been blessed with a district of 11 other missionary’s, each one with so much faith and love in there hearts for their Savior, Our Heavenly Father, and His children all around the world in whom I have the utmost confidence that they can share with in bringing joy and the gospel to their lives. 

Brothers and sister, I’m so grateful to be apart of this great work. His work. I’m so grateful for the support of everyone thus far, and if there is anyway I could give all of my gratitude to you all, It would done in a heartbeat. 

I’d like to end with a little testimony, 

This Church is true. We have a Father in Heaven who knows us by name and he loves us with a perfect love, He is always stretching out his hands to comfort us. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Which I know with all my heart to be true. Jesus Christ is the Corner Stone of my life and so is The Book of Mormon which is another testament of Jesus Christ. I love them very much, and with great joy of knowing, I miss them. En el nombre de Jesucristo, amen. 

Please stay safe, and keep an eye out my Bi-weekly emails to keep these full of thought. 

I love and miss you all! ❤️