An expression of our faith

Anticipation, & excitement always linger within me as I wake up knowing that we are going to start our day with a visit to a special place where we feel at home, and help our kindred dead. The excitement increases as we're driving toward Washington D.C. especially when we're crossing the last bridge paying the last toll all the while Noah & Chelsea keep saying, "where is it, where is it, I can't see it yet!" And then, there it stands...we see the tall golden spires that accentuates the beauty of this beautiful building from the freeway & like a small child I am squealing with delight!

We turn onto Beach drive passing by a walking trail alongside beautiful homes, but the one that stands out is The House of The Lord. We enter the gates toward this beautiful building & find a parking space. In my mind I'm quietly thanking God for arriving in safety. We get out of the car & take in the spirit that are on the temple grounds & with a thankful heart walk toward the temple. I read on the concrete walls of this magnificent building that says... "The House of The Lord." 

Jon & I are smiling as we see our four children excited to be here too. We say our goodbyes for two hours & see them walking toward the visitors center knowing that in their own way they will be spiritually uplifted. It is such a beautiful sight to see all of them getting along (especially Noah & Chelsea) holding hands smiling with glee. When I see that I know that they are already feeling that special presence that lingers all over the temple grounds, and that they are feeling the spirit in their own way. 

And no matter how much I feel like life is weighing me down I am grateful to have a safe haven of peace to come "home" to feel of God's love & peaceful spirit. Even if it's only for a few hours. I sit quietly inside the temple with my eternal companion & we are at peace. There is no noise, just stillness. There is no disagreeing, just agreeing, there is no contention, just love. There is no sadness, just happiness. And sometimes there are tears...the joyful kind. 

All the while as I'm sitting in the temple waiting for the session to begin my heart is filling up with gratitude. Thanking God that we made it yet again to His house. I can feel my heart palpitating. After 11 years it always seems as if I'm entering the temple for the first time. That's how different & special this building means to me. Even after exiting the building I know that everything I just experienced was true & done out of the goodness of my heart knowing that the blessings will come...according to my faithfulness. 

Entering the "House of The Lord" is just as it reads... It truly is the House of the Lord.

I am so grateful that we took the time during the holiday season to be here to receive these sacred blessings. Attending the temple plays a huge role in my life, one that I am passionate about. The Lord has given me so much in my life to live for, to learn, to grow, and by attending the temple I feel my faith increasing. Going to the temple is an expression of our faith. One that I will continue to do as long as I live. Jon and I couldn't have spent our last weekend of 2013 doing anything else, but expressing our love to the Lord, and those who have passed on by attending His Holy house in feeling all of the love that permeates throughout the walls of this building. 

As we were leaving I paused to read this quote, and it will be stuck with me every time we enter the temple. 

"Enter this door

As if the floor 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."

~President Spencer W. Kimball

Washington Temple Dedication

I never want to rush out of this house. As a matter of fact, sometimes...I never want to leave. 

Have a wonderful week, and a blessed 2014!

Northlandz

The day after Christmas we headed towards Northlandz in Flemington to take Noah & Chelsea to see the "world's largest miniature railroad" exhibit. One of my friends whose son is a train lover told me about this place a while back, and was kind enough to give us a coupon so that we could go! Oh my gosh...can I just tell you how perfect this place is. I was in awe with the design, and how they put this vast indoor train set filled with miniature trains of every kind together! Everything was made with paper mache, and it was very well built. From replicas of a golf course in Scotland to small coal mining towns. Exaggerated landscapes of a mountain top, bridges made of pieces of wood, buildings, and a ton of lichen trees made up this "view of the world" railroad track. I swear they thought up of every scenario in the book. It was whimsical, and sort of comical at the same time. It was definitely entertaining, and the eight miles of track is so worth going...especially if you have a toddler. 

Ever since Noah was a year old he has been fascinated with trains, and had such a blast here. The fact that we live in the east coast surrounded by train stations has increased his love for trains even more. The older he gets, the more obsessed he becomes. He was so eager to see everything in detail. There were moments where we had to pause every few seconds so that I can see what he is looking at. He would constantly tell me that he'd like a train set exactly like that. I responded with an answer which made him pout a bit. I told him we'd have to have a huge house to fit in such a huge railroad exhibit like this. I said to him that maybe next year Santa will give him a decent size electric train set for christmas! After completing 25% of the tour his resilience kicked in. He stopped pouting, & hounding me about getting him a train set like that! Phew! I'm telling you...he was so excited to just be here. Even Jon was mesmerized by the way it was set up. The mountains, bridges, and just seeing the trains pass us by was such a sight. I was very impressed.

^^ one of my favorite moments was a replica of the city! These amazing skyscrapers were amazing! ^^

Our day was complete by going on a train ride after the tour. These two were mesmerized by it. Noah was like a statue kneeling like this the whole ride through. I could tell from sitting behind him that he was taking in every moment of being on a train, and watching very carefully how it rides on a huge track. He was concentrating more on the tracks than the deer we passed by. 

If we could come here every week we could. Too bad they don't have membership. One thing for sure...we will return again in the new year!

Happy Christmas!

^^ Cape Neddick, Maine-July 2013 ^^

"See the nearness and the clearness of the blessed Christmas star, leading, guiding, wise men riding through the desert dark and far. Lovely showing, shining growing, onward going, gleaming slowly, leading still, our Christmas star."

The year 2013 brought us many memories, and we want to remember only the ones that brought us LIGHT and joy. Memories such as seeing our firstborn Sierra graduate high school with honors, and entering a college of the arts. A new job for Jon. My calling as a Gospel Doctrine teacher, and my newest calling as secretary in the Young Women Stake Presidency, and seeing my first article published in the Deseret News. 

It's times like this where we want to hear from our loved ones near and far to hear about their accomplishments, and adventures. Some share their trials, and heartaches, and my prayers go out for those that do. Although 2013 brought us a few blips in our life we are grateful for them because those blips are what keeps us going. Our children bring us great joy, and I'll share just a little bit about them. The only major change that occurs with them each year is that they get older, and smarter! 

And we have been blessed by four awesome kids! 

Sierra (18) graduated with honors from high school, and after much praying, and pondering decided to attend the University of The Arts in Philadelphia. She completed her first semester, but is looking to transfer to another university next year. Without getting into major detail the curriculum at UARTS was not quite what she expected, but did learn a lot from her piano teacher, and from a few of her professors by advising her on goals for her future. She will miss living in the city, but is looking forward to attending another institution. Looks like she has more praying and pondering to do before winter break is over. She did receive a letter in the mail from Brigham University in Provo to apply for a scholarship. Apparently this scholarship is specifically for those students who were admitted to BYU but attended another institution. This scholarship will cover full-time tuition, books, on-campus housing, and a modest allowance for summer term at BYU. Who can pass that up! She has decided to apply for it, and is hoping to attend in the summer time. Who knows...maybe that will be her chosen school. All I know is that I pray she chooses the right school so I can stop stressing! It'll all work out I'm sure. 

Alexandra (13) is in the eighth grade & continues to excel academically in school, and is the most laser focused child I have ever had. She never brings anything home under a 98, and can read thick chapter books (sometimes three series at a time) within two days!! I kid you not. She is a voracious reader through and through, and books are literally her best friend. She continues to play the violin, and loves it. She is currently the Beehive President in the Young women for our church.  

Chelsea (8) is in the third grade, and is doing great in school, & like her sisters brings home A's, and loves to play the piano. We still plan on getting her into cello lessons, but just informed us that she would like to learn how to play the ukulele. She loves books, and watching Disney movies with her little brother. 

Noah (4) is my ray of sunshine. My only boy, and I love him so much! He is spoiled by us all, and when he isn't torturing Chelsea he loves anything star wars, loves to play with his legos, train track, and from time to time will give him technology time on PBS.kids. 

We have learned that no matter what trials come our way that hope is never lost. To know that there is a LIGHT that will lead and guide us in the right direction, so that we can always find our way home, and never lose sight of what's important. 

We are so grateful for the restored gospel and for the LIGHT of Christ which gives us hope to never give up...knowing that He will always be there to lead and guide us through every footstep. We love you and wish you a Happy Christmas that's merry and bright...and a blessed New Year too! 

With love, 

US

my thoughts on giving at christmas.

As I was watching the kids decorating our first real tree I couldn't help but to picture past Christmases when they were all toddlers. I was figuring out the needs, and wants that would benefit them in their life. Not that my kids are spoiled, but I know that all small children get excited for Christmas (even teenagers.) Heck I'm an adult, and I get excited for Christmas. Simply because of their example. My kids have taught me to remember what this season is about. Love, and family fun. I grew up with very few Christmases, and not with so much "family time". As my girls have gotten older I have learned that Christmas is not about the gifts, but the Savior. Especially Sierra, and Lexie who have been telling me that they don't need anything, and to focus on Chelsea & Noah. I always feel bad when they tell me that because I know that they LOVE Christmas, and that opening presents is fun. They have always sacrificed their needs, and wishful wants so that their younger sibs don't go without. Still...I don't want them to be deprived of the Christmas spirit when it comes to gifts. No one should be exempt. Whether it's a simple Christmas card sent in the mail, or a homemade gift. No one should be deprived of gifts. 

A hug, a smile, a kind word, acknowledgment, forgiveness, calling up a loved one, and giving a compliment to someone are the most simplest gifts that anyone can give. Performing small acts of service such as free babysitting, teaching someone to read, or helping our little old neighbor Janet hang her garland outside her house can be a good enough gift to anyone. 

I'm grateful to be raising my kids in a home that focuses on Christ. Knowing that Christmas is all about the Savior will help them realize that they don't need a bunch of "stuff". Spending time as a family by watching movies, playing outdoors, venturing out to places where it's family oriented, eating dinner together, going on drive bys to drop off simple gifts, thinking of others by teaching them to donate their outgrown clothes instead of selling them for money, giving food to the needy, going by the homeless shelter to donate simple items (blankets, socks) without judging them. You know...stuff like that. Those are the gifts that will keep a family in harmony & unified as one. 

I personally enjoy the gifts...not the material ones, but the physical ones. Such as seeing my kids getting along, and decorating the tree without any shenanigans. A hug from my fellow sisters at church, or just a simple smile. I love seeing my kids on Christmas morning with excitement knowing that there will be a few gifts under the tree. I know how it feels to have woken up to nothing. A sour Christmas. I grew up with so many of them, and each year became numb. That magic dissipated for a few years and later returned while in my teens. Now...that magic has been redeemed more than ever by my four children. The magic I once had at the age of six is here to stay for me, & I don't ever want that magic that I see in my children's eyes (no matter how old they get) become interrupted by deprivation, and sadness on Christmas morning. 

As long as we don't burn ourselves out stressing over who to get what, and fighting over parking spaces, and cash registers cursing at the next customer saying "I was here first", or procrastinating our Christmas until the last minute we can enjoy the spirt of giving during this season. Whether it's a gift of the world, a kind word, a book of mormon, or a gift made with love we can all remember the reason for the season.

"Christmas is not for counting the things that you don't have, but for counting the blessings you still have."

christmas in new york...in 70 degree weather!

I couldn't believe how bright the sun was shining this past weekend. Not to mention the warm weather spell we just had in New Jersey. In all our years of living here December has always been a cold month where temperatures are clear into the 20's and 30's. This weekend was the perfect time to venture out to New York City to see the tree at Rockefeller center & walk the streets of fifth avenue...without turning into icicles.

"one heart, one mind"

I have been very impressed with one of the missionaries from our stake who has been faithfully sending weekly emails about how it's been like to be a missionary in a different country, how the food is, the lifestyle, culture, and how people are embracing the gospel as he and his companion go out tracking. I look forward to his emails every Monday because they uplift me in the best possible way. They motivate me in a sense that I could do better, and even though I feel like I share the gospel quite a bit, and talk about how happy it makes me there is always room for more. There is always room to not only share the gospel, but to put in action the result that comes from acting upon when we read the Book of Mormon. 

This past Sunday I taught the last lesson of the year in Gospel Doctrine. The lesson was "Zion-The Pure in Heart". I loved everything about this lesson, and all that was written in it. It was something that I not only needed to teach, but needed to hear for myself. It was a reminder to me of how I can make this challenging world we live in a beautiful one.

I am a first generation member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and although I have had my share of ups and downs with the religion, and the man above himself...I know that this church is true, and that God lives. This lesson entailed the act of becoming unified as a people. I love everyone. I don't care who you are, where you're from, what nationality you are, where you used to live, or whether you were raised in the church or not. We are all equal in Heavenly Fathers eyes, and He wants all of us to be of "one heart, and one mind." 

To be unified because when we all work together in the church, everything falls into place. When we strut around within our community and have that Christlike heart, those who have no idea what it feels like to be happy, or "know" The Lord will see our example of love... and they will want it too. 

To strengthen each other by serving, loving, and helping our full time missionaries bringing others into the fold, because I was one of those who was lost, but was found 21 years ago. I love helping others in any way that I can by being active and participating through performing acts of kindness. Something that is a necessity in today's society. To not be selfish, but selfless. To truly know the meaning of love, and understand what it means to be in unison so that we can enjoy the blessings that come from expressing it in every form. 

Snail mail, emails, social networking are many ways we can reach out to those who want to know where that happiness is. How will they find that happiness of eternal life if we don't share it with them? Some food for thought. 

This season in its purified, most perfect form gives us many opportunities to reach out. To share the light of Christ...even if it's just being a friend. Being of "one heart and one mind "we can all help one another in passing forward this marvelous work of The Lord. To visit those in need, and keep in contact with those who don't come to church. It shouldn't matter whether they have been inactive for decades, years, or a month. I don't ever want to grow weary in helping others. I don't ever want to let anyone damage my testimony, or allow anything to stand in the way of my eternal happiness. I don't want to let trials ruin the plan of happiness that Heavenly Father has in store for me or anyone that I share it with. Oh no...I won't let it. And in order for me to have that I know that I need to participate, and be as active in my heart as well as physically in serving the Savior, and his sheep. 

It has taken me many years to be who I am today. A fearless convert to a church that thrives on love, and strives on unity, and missionary work. A woman of courage who can, and will overcome any adversity that comes my way. 

I pray that we can all embrace the gospel, and in coming together as one. Let the season of Christmas be the beginning of striving to be of "one heart, and one mind". So that in the end our minds will be a clean conscious, and live happily knowing that we are doing our very best.

"I see a wonderful future in a very uncertain world. If we will cling to our values, if we will build on our inheritance, if we will walk in obedience before the Lord, if we will simply live the gospel, we will be blessed in a magnificent and wonderful way. WE will be looked upon as a peculiar people who have found the key to a peculiar happiness.

~President Gordon B. Hinckley (15th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter -Day Saints (1995-2008)

a birthday wish for my ups man with a prayer.

I don't like airing too much of our dirty laundry online, but for those of you who read my blog, and I mean faithfully know that Jon lost his job this past summer. Plans of relocating to the New England area backfired due to the lay off. Luckily we paid way ahead on our rent, and other bills but life still happens in between those rays of sunshine. I'm grateful that he got a job working for UPS but the downfall is that it's seasonal. And his last day may very well be on New Years Eve. Worried. Yeah. Sad. Yeah. At best they will hire one, maybe two drivers out of the 30 plus people they hired. So on his birthday my wish for him today is the hope that they will retain him due to his fast paced, (delivers 200 plus packages a day) kind, & glowing personality. If not...well we may have to just rely on our faith, and God that he will land a permanent job somewhere. He is so resourceful, and a hard worker that I'm sure he can land any job. 

Although his expertise is sales, and loves it he has developed a crush for UPS, their benefits, pension plan, and everything that this awesome company has to offer. I am praying and hoping that they will choose him, and if they don't that he will have an opportunity to work for the company in another sector. UPS is all over the country, but we love the east coast and are praying that he gets hired somewhere in the tristate or New England area. We will have to see. 

And that is my wish for him, and I believe that it may be his wish also. He won't tell us because he doesn't want to jinx anything & not have it come true, but I know his heart. His heart is to be able to provide for us, and to know that we have everything we need to survive. 

So once again...if you're the praying kind I ask that you please pray for him. He's an absolutely great man who is one in a million. He deserves every happiness because he literally does no wrong to anyone. I pray that The Lord will guide him in a position that will be a perfect fit for him in a workplace that his suitable to him. As long as we are provided for, and that he is happy is all that matters to us.

Happy birthday babe...and may all your dreams and wishes come true. 

P.S. I love the dreams that you've been having as of late. Too bad we don't play the lottery so that they can come true! Haha!!

Festival of lights on a Sunday night.

After teaching the last lesson in the Doctrine and Covenants for the year in Gospel Docrtine class this past Sunday we left and headed out toward Washington D.C. to see the Festival of Lights, and see Jenny Oaks Baker perform again. Earlier this summer we saw her perform songs from her "Wish Upon A Star" album, and each year she amazes us with her wonderful talent! She truly is an amazing violinist!

19 years and counting.

December has got to be one of the most exhausting months of the year (at least for us) for the mere fact of celebrating three very special occasions. 

Our anniversary, Jon's birthday, and Christmas. Especially with Jon driving for UPS five days a week, it seems that all he wants to do these days is take a long winters nap. But he doesn't. And no matter how many times I tell him to rest, he won't. Because he loves meeeee....We are sleep deprived, but after 19 years we keep smiling. We keep keep having trials, and disagreements, but at the end of the day we laugh, and keep it together. 

No matter where we have celebrated our anniversary dinner whether it be a simple meal at our daughters fundraiser, or a very nice restaurant every year has been precious. This year we celebrated our anniversary in NYC, and it was surreal. Surreal because this was the very first time that we have gone without the kids. Alone. Sans bambino baby. Surreal because we were celebrating a special occasion in one of the worlds most magical cities. 

We ate dinner at one of our "new" favorite restaurants, and we had so much fun. I think finding the photo booth downstairs (as i was heading toward the restroom) was the highlight of our evening. We felt like little kids again acting goofy, and laughing as each photo was being taken. I hope when our kids look at that photo that they will think of things like love, hope, and faith. Because those are the three things that have kept our marriage going. I am so happy that we have made it this far, and it's not going to stop there. 

Reflecting back on our wedding day brings a huge smile on my face knowing that I am still with the man of my dreams. Nineteen years...not quite a milestone, but it's still a pretty big deal to me. I'm sure when we hit the 20 year mark it will be huge!

Happy anniversary to us!!

Photos from our Snow day, Part II.

One thing about living in Jersey that tends to annoy me is the fact that school gets cancelled for a few inches of snow. Yes...anything less than 10" is a few to me. I really don't like negativity, but I guess that comes with social networking. You gotta have tough skin to have the guts to go online, and write a simple status about your feelings towards any subject that may be in your heart to share.

UARTS Holiday Concert.

While I was sitting down inside an Episcopalian church waiting to hear my daughter sing with the UARTS choir I was contemplating and having somewhat of a flashback. Not because I was Episcopalian, but because this church I was sitting in reminded me of the catholic church I used to attend when I was a child. The smell of an old pew with red velour colored padding, and a cushion underneath my feet so that one can kneel in prayer seemed all too familiar to me. The feeling of sitting inside this nostalgic, beautiful, "elaborate in detail" building felt different, but knowing that I was sitting in a house of worship for the sole purpose of hearing my daughter sing was good enough for me...and it was gratifying. 

^^ Sierra & Liv, chorus girls ^^

This was my daughters first and final performance she will do with the university chorus. Her freshman year at UARTS didn't really give her too much opportunity to perform & "shine", and even though she won't be returning to this school next semester she is grateful for having a great piano teacher, and for learning and experiencing things she probably wouldn't have learned elsewhere. 

This evening was wonderful, and everyone sang so beautifully. Oh my gosh! Their voices! I didn't realize how great a university choir sounds compared to any choir in high school. Okay...Highland high school's Chorale was good, and I'm not just saying that because my daughter was part of it, but seriously...attend a choir concert at the University of the Arts and you'll "hear" what I'm talking about. 

University chorus singing "Gloria" from Rose Jorgensen on Vimeo.

I tried to get record as much as I could being that this was Sierra's final performance, and even though she didn't have a solo I could still hear her lovely voice. As you can see she is in the middle standing in the front row. For those of you who haven't heard her sing yet you can watch her on  my you tube channel as well as on my vimeo videos. 

I'll close this post with this video of Sierra singing "Silent Night". She sang it in her junior year of high school & being that it's the Christmas season I think it's a perfect ending to get into the holiday spirit! 

Enjoy the sounds & have a great day! 

Photos from our Snow Day, Part I.

When I looked at the forecast last week I was excited to see that we were going to have snow this past weekend. Little did I know we were going to get swamped with nine inches! The weatherman said we were only to expect an inch or so, but holy moly we got quite a bit! 

And we were longing for it for quite some time (more like years!!)

It began to snow while we were at stake conference this past Sunday, and when it was over I looked outside, and I was thrilled. Thrilled to see the big, thick snowflakes falling, and it looked so pretty. The only issue I had was the fact that the streets were not plowed or salted, but that's how they roll up here...especially when it's unexpected. Luckily both Jon and I know what to expect when driving in the snow, and to be super cautious of other drivers. We saw so many accidents on our way home, and it was quite a sad sight.  

The 15 minute drive home ended up turning into an hour due to the snow, and even though it took forever I'm grateful for arriving home in safety. Good thing I was given a ton of chocolate by one of my dear friends at church. She must have been clairvoyant in knowing that we were going to need that for the long drive home, and it was devoured within minutes!  

As soon as we got home the kids wanted to go outside, and take advantage of this glorious weather. We didn't care that it was Sunday, and so I allowed them to go outside to venture out in the snow, and take in all the glory of a snowy mother nature. 

Sierra wasn't expecting to stay overnight for stake conference, but was happy to have been here while it snowed. Living in Philly has its advantages, but when it snows she doesn't think she would been able to play in it like this! 

 ^^ a little free falling ^^ 

 ^^ and a little bit of a snowball fight ^^

And then the next day (Monday) school was cancelled (which was to be expected), and that's when Noah and Chelsea broke out the sled, and went outside to play in the snow. Snowball fights fights, and a little bit of laughter while trying to build a snowman ended up being the highlight of that day.

And they had a blast.

It has been a pretty good week thus far with the snow and all, and even though my kids love going to school they were happy to have been home to play in this white powder. Stay tuned for part two of our second snow day later on this week!

our first real tree.

In all the years I've been married I have never thought about buying a real tree. Ever! We have always bought them. The first year we were married we were so poor that my in laws gave us one of their old   artificial trees which we used for the first five years of our married life, and then we decided to buy one of our own at Garden Ridge when we moved to San Antonio. I had also purchased three trees which varied in height to represent the storybook The Three Trees and have always put those up as a tradition. We have had the same trees for years, and you know what? I'm kind of tired of them. The fact that they are artificial, and almost 14 years old is no good. They are falling apart, and so this year we bid farewell to all of them except one (we kept the smaller one for Noah.) Glad to have fond memories of our three trees from past Christmases.

While we'll still read the book about the three trees, and keep our mini artificial tree we have started a new tradition in buying a real tree! Sad that I'm starting this late in my married years while having an 18 year old, but I have always learned that it's never to late to start traditions. 

So this past weekend we went out to go tree hunting, and the kids were excited! 

I can't even begin to tell you how emotional I was while being out with my family while choosing it. I had no memories of my own ever picking out a tree with my mother because she mostly owned an artificial one. Then again there were times when we had no Christmas. Seriously...none. No cookies for Santa, no christmas stories to tell, and no gifts under the tree. The fact that I'm doing this with my kids now is my memory telling me that I was okay with hardly having any Christmases. Truly okay, because I'm making Christmas happen with my family. 

But I'm so thrilled that we got a real tree y'all! I mean super duper thrilled! I had to convince Jon into buying a real one though. I think he was a little nervous about the whole keeping it watered, fire hazard thing. I'm sure it's not that hard to maintain a live Christmas tree for a few weeks. 

^^ little red moccasins ^^

One memory I do recall my mother having a real tree was when i was in my teens (can't remember what age.) I was really impressed at how green, and alive she kept it. She probably could have planted it in our backyard clear after Christmas and into the new year if she wanted to. One great thing about my mother is she had a green thumb like no other! That woman could plant, and keep anything alive! 

I am just so happy that we finally have a real tree, and that she's up and ready to show herself off. She smells so good, and I am so pleased that I have started this tradition with the family. Why, oh why I never started this earlier is beyond me. Wish I started this tradition when we first got married instead of now while having two teenagers, but I've learned that it's never to late to start traditions. 

And on this day we did! 

My kids have now told me that once they are on their own with families that they too will also start a tradition of going tree hunting as a family.