Visiting Mama

These two kiddos came to see Mama yesterday.

Mia and Colton took Gus for a checkup, then went to a restaurant that Colt's been wanting to go to.

I mean - look at these things!
Unfortunately, Mama can eat basically none of them so I was grateful Sis took him!

I will NEVER get tired of my kids coming to see me at work!!!

 

Missionary Moment - Puerto Rico San Juan & Santo Domingo Santiago West Mission

Good Morning! Elder Jorgensen at it again and this one's a banger! 

Like always I hope your all doing so great! 

This week was so very busy! Every night I come home my mood is down and I get super hangry because of how hard and much we are pushing out every single day! We had a day straight of never-before-heard-of-day where absolutely nothing fell through! What?? Everything always falls through on us so to be guided to something different after the other was something very special to see. Tuesday was just as guided as we had exchanges with the others elders in our district and I was with Elder Taggart and everything cita that was given to work with was brought with the spirit and as I work harder and harder WITH the Holy spirit my spanish and my testimony both grow.  

On Wednesday night Elder Townsend and I prepared a youth activity, blowing up balloons and putting questions inside and buying some darts ( with its dart board ) and popping the balloons and answer the questions, we also made cookies and got some soda for them, which they destroyed as they played dominoes ( it's huge here! ) And played a missionary game called "signs" which was a complete fracaso! (Signs was a complete failure) but the night itself was super fun for the youth because of how long it's been since they've had an activity and having more youth converting to the church makes it so much more fun! It definitely makes me unbelievable thankful for the youth activities I was blessed with by my leaders! 

This week we also had Santa Semana which is like the big party week in the carribean where they celebrate Easter, all they normally do is retreat to their home town up north in Santiago where their parents live and those who stay just drink tons and enjoy themselves with loud music. But despite the craziness of these people 24 / 7 we got everything we set out to do in doing our job here. It only got nuts when one guy bowed to us with almost perfect form as if he's been practicing for that for awhile and when one other guy who doesn't know too much about missionaries but still loves them totally 

The next thing that was released just last night was transfes! It's for sure much bigger news than last in that Elder Townsend is off to San Cristobal with a dominican comp and I stay leading out the area with a missionary serving his last transfer on his mission, Elder Knight! 

This week I only have 1 picture of a frog that I caught in the boonies teaching a pastor over a tin racked church thing and his really big family! 

I love you all so much! Stay safe and stay brave! 

Elder Jorgensen 

 

We Are Professionals

Today is Administrative Professionals Day!

Vince brought us Kneader's French Toast.

Ummmmm.... GET IT!!!

I also found this memory.

Kaydon and Brooklyn seven years ago.

These are always super happy memories.

We love Sis!

 

Messages

Last night, Mia sent me this text.

Doesn't that look amazing??

I'm so proud of her and I'm positive that Braxton was super grateful!

Last week, Kenzie posted this picture and it took my breath away.

Her husband had this picture made.

It looks so real.

It looks like it was the actual picture taken.

I cried for a lot of minutes.

I KNOW that P and Sarah held Sydnee close until she came to earth to be with her mommy and daddy.

I know that they are right there every minute of every day.

Gosh, I miss him.

 

Colton Does Prom

Friday night, I was at the gym.

I look up and these two studs are getting in some work.

Colton and Riley have become pretty inseperable, which is such a blessing.

Colton and Kaydon were ALWAYS together before Kaydon left on his mission.

Riley is such a great friend to my Colton and it's been so good for him!

Colton went to prom with friends, including Riley and his twin brother Braydon, this weekend.

Isn't he just the most handsome Colton you've ever seen?!?!

 

Kehlani

Kehlani.

Gigi loves you more than you will ever know.

 

Meal Prepping & Zucchini

I have been making, and eating, a LOT of zucchini bread.

Last weekend, I meal prepped some chicken and zucchini meals for the week.

I also made a loaf of zucchini bread.

It didn't take Colton and I long to eat that loaf, so I made another one last night.

My body LOVES it.

My body is also loving having no dairy intake!

It's also happy without peanut butter.

And, I'm managing.

 

Mondays Are My Favorite

I LOVE Mondays.

If you know me, ever since my stroke Mondays are my favorite.

Then Jackson went on a mission to Chile and called every Monday.

Now Kaydon is on a mission in the Dominican Republic and he calls every Monday and they are just my favorite!

Watching my boys interact.

Watching them interact with their sisters.

And watching all of them trying to get Kehlani's attention!!
The actual best.

Cherry on top: Kehlani repeatedly said, "KK.KK.KK."

 

Missionary Moment - Puerto Rico San Juan Mission & Dominican Republic Santiago West MIssion

Good morning you all! I'm just gonna come out and say it that I have just been getting lazy and not writing because of all the recent activities we've been having. 

Thus past week we went to Villa Altagracia which is super pretty but the bugs are absolutely a waste of space and just completely ate us up, but still fun! 

But I do apologize for not keeping these things weekly like I wanted, I'm sure there's something in them that either make you smile or that is taken to your upcoming week to improve your relationship with God whatever that entails. 

This week has been just an improvement from our last, even my faith was deteriorating and my hope in my success as a missionary was failing me as many people here dropped us or even worse keep us and not have any change in their lives which means that eventually we end up dropping them. 

The craziest thing that probably happened other than the tropical storm that happened yesterday, we had baptism on Saturday for 2 muchachos and our bishop got there an hour late and pur president was there (perfect timing there *face plam*) but what was worse is that yesterday after they got the Holy Ghost the bishop let them pass the sacrament without receiving the priesthood yet (NO!) And because I had offered to give a talk the week prior I was up in the stand and was forced to take my sacrament from this poor kid right next to the bishop :( (Oooh my!) 

However, after much needed fast and much prayer we have turned things around in how we teach, how we testify, how we work together in our companionship and with the spirit who ends up going crazy as we do our best to magnify our purpose as missionaries, which if you had no knowledge of that before, it is simply inviting people to come unto christ and helping them change there lives through His once again restored gospel. 

Pertaining to my title and the previous paragraph, and completely forgetting the song beautifully played by David Archuleta and redone by many Id like to share a little about the power of prayer. 

Before I'd like to ask each of you how your prayers are done? In what manner? Do you offer a prayer everyday? Twice a day? Do you keep one in your heart? Do you kneel with your family in prayer? Do you offer thanks, gratitude, or are your prayers filled with plees calling out to him to save you? 

As directed by President Nelson, "Pray for a miracle, and expect a miracle" reminded to me by my Grandfather. 

In all things as I serve our Loving Heavenly Fathed I pray to him much and expect him to come through. Not just because this is his work but because he loves us. He loves you and he loves me. I show him my love for him in my service and as I thank him for all the many things he has blessed me with. 

Prayer is the one way he has given us to talk to him. As we pray we do this in the name of Jesus Christ and in addressing our Heavenly Father, we thank him for blessings that wouldn't have been noticed otherwise and ask him for help or a miracle. However my friends we also must do this in all humility.  With a sincere heart and contrite spirit, we also need to be willing accept the answer that He has given us. And "even more faith to accept a disappointing answer". Humily as we pray is not an easy thing but if the relationship between you and God is important to you, you can find it in yourself to change and find that humility. 

An example of this was when I offered a prayer after an unfortunate experience here in my mission, I was upset, and frustrated and I no longer wanted to work just to accept all these disappointing answers and after calming down and editifying my spirit Heavenly Father has taught me just a little more patience and the answers I needed as I searched God's chosen leaders and the scriptures. Prayer is real and I hope you use that as you most important resource used to guide you to things that can then give you the answers or comfort you need or desire. 

BTW go see the #GraciásaÉl to see Elder Townsend perform! 

I love you all so so much! Ya Tu Sabes! 

Elder Jorgensen 

 

Auntie Time

I got to spend a couple of hours with these two lovebugs on Saturday.

Anson talks and talks and talks.

"Great job," "Way to go," "You did great," and "Thanks," are some of my favorites!

We did letter and number cards and then we painted with water colors!

Asher was so happy Saturday.

We played with these little tiny balls that click together, danced, did piggyback rides, and laughed.

They are getting SO big!

 

Screen Protector

This is my phone's screen protector.

It did its job, I suppose.

My phone is fine.

My screen protector, not so much.

This is my third one to end up looking like this.

I guess the extra money I spend for screen protectors really is worth it.

Thanks, T-Mobile.

The last couple of weeks have been hard.

HARD.

It turns out, my body (tummy and skin) are not fans of dairy.

When someone (that someone is me) is an ice cream fanatic, that's an issue.

It turns out my body isn't just angry about dairy, but possibly peanut butter and other things too.

I am finding out one-by-one and purging things from my diet.

In the meantime, in between time, my skin is a wreck.

Like, I am self-conscious to show my face anywhere right now.

I look like I got attacked by a hive of angry bees.

And it hurts.

My whole face hurts.

Bad.

Also, my tummy is so bloated (like straight up swollen).

I'm a mess!!

Kind of like this screen protector.

I have spent many days crying because of how my body is currently looking and feeling.

This morning, I flipped the darn switch.

While in the shower, I shouted:

I love my skin.

I love that my skin protects my internal organs.

I love my tummy.

I love that my body grew four humans.

I love my hair (which I currently want to shave off because I'm trying to grow it out).

I love my big hips.

I love that they spread and allowed four humans to grow safely.

I love my cellulite.

It means I've lived.

I love my scars.

I love my freckles.

I love the left side of my body.

There is something about speaking validation into the universe for ourselves that adjusts our entire mindset.

Now, it doesn't just stick after doing it one time.

So, I'm saying it to myself every time I go to the toilet and look in the mirror.

 

P, Where You Be?

The planning has started.

Again.

Spring Event next month.

With no P.

It always takes my breath away.

Mr. W & Beyta do a FANTASTIC job of filling in, but it really was P's job to do these events with me.

He would play softball each year with the crews.

One year, he forgot his softball "uniform" and Sarah had to bring it to him.

She was always taking care of him like that!

He was a talker!

He would talk so much trash on the softball field.

But everyone loved him.

These events are always bittersweet for me.

But, I do them in his honor and always hope that the birds will be in abundance so that I know he's there watching.

 

#boymom

Colton and I went to Garcia's for dinner a couple of nights ago.

We like to sit in the bar area no matter where we go... it's a thing.

But on this night, we got to sit RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE fire place!

HEAVEN.

I love gymming with this boy.

It doesn't happen very often anymore because he prefers to go with his friends...

Welcome to the process of empty-nesting.

IT SUCKS.

But he works SO hard at the gym.

He motivates me and I love just making eye contact with him while we are there and smiling!

Yesterday, we were able to get everyone on except for Mia Girl.

Kehlani Boo had just woke up, but as soon as she saw her KK she was SO HAPPY!

I love my role as a boy mom.

It's my favorite role on earth... well being a Gigi might beat it out slightly, but only a little bit!

These boys have the coolest dang bond and I love watching them and listening to them.

They love each other SO much!

Last night, Colton read me an email that Kaydon sent him last night.

Kaydon told Colton how much he misses him; how he wishes he was there with him because no one laughs like the two of them; how he thinks about us everyday; how he wants Colton to get such a strong testimony that they won't have a choice other than to call him as "Bishop Jorgensen."

Then we both laughed.

And cried.

 

Gigi & Kehlani Day

Saturday was my favorite!

Gigi and Kehlani time!

First, we went to the gym and Kehlani got to play with the other kids in the little kids club.

She is SO good with other kids.

She is great to play by herself, or walk around and jibber jabber to the kids that she sees. And, of course she pooped so BONUS!

We went to Layton Park and she watched the ducks and played on the playground for a MINUTE!!

That little thing has so much energy.

This.

I kid you not...

I went into her playroom to check on her and she was sitting at her little table "reading" books.

She had put Kaydon's picture on the other chair and she was just sitting there with her KK, looking at books.

It never fails to make me cry!

Biggest girl fed her dang self macaroni and cheese and apple slices.

She is SO big!

And, yes, she did share with Kaya and Gus.

Of course, she had to sit on Gigi's lap while I got ready.

By the time I was done, she had eye liner all over her cute little face!

She is magic.

Pure magic.