Gigi Facetime

This baby girl and her dad!

They facetimed Gigi last night.

I was in bed... of course.

She was SO happy to see Gigi.

Giggling and giggling.

I told Jackson that she was so happy.

He said, "Now she is... she's had a hard hour or so!"

Awwwww!!!

They are teaching her to make animal sounds.

The wolf was the best!!

Can't wait to love on her this Sunday for family night!!!

 

Smoking

For the second time in less than a week, the car is smoking.

I made it to work this time.

Mr. Watkins came out, per usual.

Looked at it.

Said, "Yup, that's definitely hot."

Told me to go inside.

The cap on the coolant seems to not be tight.

The assumption, if I understand correctly, is that perhaps it gets hot, boils out because the lid is not tight.

Carry on.

 

Missionary Moment - Puerto Rico San Juan / Dominican Republic Santo Domingo West

"Continue in patience until we are perfected, because His Grace is Sufficient" - Brad Wilcox 

 

I'm in a trio. Which means it's pretty tough. However I'm with the two best missionaries to be in a trio with. They listen and they are the 2 best missionaries that are willing to change and grow.  I listened to the talk "His Grace is Sufficient" - Brad Wilcox who gave this talk about finding growth and faith through the Grace of God. Out on the mission the Grace of God is heightened. Out on the front lines of war His Grace is now needed more than ever to grow and continue to grow in our most trying times. That's it. That is where our fight is won. The growth through the Atonement of Jesus Christ is key and he will exalt us through our sadness, our frustrations, and our pains. But we must give ourselves to Him and he'll work without end in the details of our lives. 

The time that I have been here in Puerto Rico I have found more growth here than I have ever had for a very long time. This is my last Monday and week here on the island until I report for the Lord on Thursday. The people, my leaders, my companions have been the best for my situation and prepared my way for the road that Jesus Christ is helping me move forward on. 

A few updates, Domingo,  who was supposed to be baptized dropped us and said that he's going to travel. He also has 4 teeth and lives in a Casa Rio (government housing where they pay you to live) and he has gallons of water our for decoration. I hope that the gospel finds that glorious man again. 

We also ran out of water here for about 3 days, that was less than awesome,  but we have some now and I honestly feel super sad for the hundreds of others that don't have water either due to por infrastructure. We're also helping this couple paint their entire house, it's cool cause that's the first time that I used a power wash! 

Finally I had an English fast on Friday, that was pretty horrendously difficult because by the end I had a very less than awesome realization of how much Spanish I thought I knew but totally did not. Rough. 

I love each of you so much. Keep those emails coming in I read them all, may not respond to them due to my time being the Lord's but I love reading them anyway!! Please keep them coming! 

 

Another Date Night & Hair Cutting

Anson called Auntie on Saturday.

He wanted me to cut his hair.

Auntie doesn't really cut hair... but, OK!

I will do whatever that boy needs!

He laid on the kitchen table and watched fish and turtles.

We got it all cut!

I sure love that boy and his brother!!

Then Colton took me on a date.

I love when my boys take me on dates!!

They spoil me rotten.

We went to Farmington Station.

Since it was Sunday and a bit cold (freezing), there was hardly anyone there.

He fed me sushi, then we walked around.

When we got to a hip clothing store, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

I started cracking up at what I was wearing!

I said, "Colton, Mommy is so sorry!"

He said, "Ma! I'm used to it!"

I am less than fancy!!

Farmington Station has a fire place.

We sat there for a MINUTE!!

The fountains were on.

The sun was setting.

It was perfection.

He said he's going to take me on dates every week!

 

A Date Night

I have been feeling very aware that I am talking to God in my true self, but that sometimes my actions are not in alignment with my desires.

It's called life.

It's a process.

I knew I needed the temple this week.

I didn't make it there in January and I really needed it.

I went online to check appointment availability on Wednesday night, and there wasn't any.

Wednesday night, I asked God to open up a slot for me after work last night.

When I got to work yesterday morning, there it was - my slot.

6 pm.

Initiatory.

I knew God did that for me.

After work, I headed over to my temple.

As excited as I am about my beautiful Layton Temple, the Ogden Temple is mine.

I love this place.

As soon as I pulled into the parking lot, I began to sob.

Uncontrollably sobbing.

I prayed that I would feel He and my Heavenly Mother hugging me.

I prayed for specific blessings as well.

Then I walked up and in.

I couldn't even grab my recommend because I was crying so much.

I went and changed and began the work.

This is the work that is just the most beautiful.

We get to hear blessings poured upon our heads over and over and over again.

I just soaked in all in.

It was exactly what I needed.

After I was done, I drove across the street to Farr's.

I ordered and then sat on the lower level.

Right in front of me was FireStik and Licorice ice cream.

That's the combo P would get when we would go on our work dates.

I sat and thought about those days of ice cream and listening to old General Conference talks as we went from meeting to meeting.

I miss him.

It was a brilliant, glorious date night.

 

The Weekend

I spent approximately ten hours with one of my favorite humans (most of the time) doing some riding around, fighting crime, laughing, and more laughing.

Curtis is like my MUCH older brother.

Like, MUCH MUCH older.

Then, this little bit of magic's parents brought her and took Colton and I to dinner.

I am obsessed with her.

I never knew my heart could contain this much love for someone other than my kids.

She is such a blessing!!!

And she is feisty.

Like, SO feisty.

 

Missionary Moment - Puerto Rico San Juan / Dominican Republic Santo Domingo West Mission

Hello everyone! Welcome back to Puerto Rico! It is always cray cray cray around here on the Island! It's actually always super funny, because everything here is so very different from what I'm used to and the culture just hits me day in and day out. Whatever new thing pops up about this place and the people just make me smile. I also love how I get to writing these emails and everything that I just did this week completely blanks, everyday is packed and full of all kinds of things that keep you moving and doing missionary work in all that you do no matter how you plan your day, every second here is the Lords time, and we fill it. 

 

This week started off pretty hot when we had a meeting with our bishop and a few other ward members, where it was basically thrown for a loop when our bishop chewed us missionaries out for every little thing that we've been doing wrong (although I know he was upset because he cares about us so much) the spirit had left and I decided to cut him off and ask if we could then talk about what we were all there to talk about in the first place which was originally member referrals and ways we can work better with members in total. Bishop obviously didn't like me cutting him off and now it's a little shaky, hopefully he can find room to forgive me soon, because I still know now that deep down, that man is a very hard worker but has a much different way of showing trust and gratitude for those he cares about. Forward I guess. Our champion Domingo fell through on his baptism. It hurt me quite a bit at first but in the end I don't think he ever really had a true testimony of what we were teaching. In some ways I'm grateful it fell through. That's not how I would've wanted him to be baptised looking back. Lesson learned. However, we do have another younger girl on a baptismal fecha and she is super ready! In her prayers with us she always prays that she'll be able to make it to church the following Sunday! Literally the best. 

Tomorrow we have a zone conference, and i'm very excited, not so much that it'll throw out my day, but it will for sure give me the opportunity to receive more revelation and promises from our President! Small tip, always always always pay close attention to your nearest key holders, whether it be a Bishop, or our Prophet, but even with some of the youth that have been given keys to lead and direct their quorums that no one else can do or has the authority to do. Remember that they work as representatives of Jesus Christ who is the ultimate key holder. Step one of His Second Coming is Adam will return all the keys to Christ in a sacred meeting, those keys will then be distributed amongst the world again by Him personally when He will once again reign on this earth. Pretty important and cool stuff, so for me it's safe to say that I'll be paying really good attention to my nearest key holder, the only one authorized to direct this mission. So when he said fast that this mission will have success after such a hard time, do it. Of course he did ask this, after the mission fasted we are now showing record breaking improvement and continue to grow at an exponential rate. I know that our Savior Jesus Christ is working tirelessly to prepare the world for his coming the second time. For us it's important to prepare for ourselves. 

This week I invite all to read the Book of Mormon a little bit each day. Everyday. Whether it be a chapter or a verse. Second is prayer. Pray everyday to Our Loving Father In Heaven. Try praying and asking the spirit to be with you and take note of how that day differed from others. Try praying for others and see how they change. Try praying and asking if the Book of Mormon is true. He will always answer our prayers. Finally, this next fast sunday, look for any new members that come to church or have an interest in coming another time, and be their friend, talk with them and invite them to activities or to read the Book of Mormon as well. Next I invite all to bear their testimonies on how it feels to share the Gospel. Can be super simple or as heart felt as you would like but testify of this and there will be those who hear you. 

No pictures this week, but I miss and love you all as always. Each of you are in my prayers everyday. If you don't trust in your own faith to receive the blessings of my prayers, trust in my faith. That they will be received and they will bless your life. 

Elder Jorgensen