A Forgotten Post From Christmas Time in 2020.

Couldn't let the year go by without doing a little shout out for Lexie who continues to valiantly serve her mission in Arizona. Although time in the beginning of the pandemic seemed slow when she first came home cause the borders closed she pressed on and continued to serve the Lord from our home via zoom with her fellow zone missionaries. She truly shined and no matter how challenging it seemed to learn the language from home as opposed to an in person class setting, she was lucky enough to have had some free time after her missionary classes so she can relax and spend time with us. Thanks to a chill and understanding, caring mission president, he didn't expect her to be cooped up in her room all day strictly reading the gospel. Fast forward to today where he continues to be the best mission president and she appreciates him and his wife so much. She is lucky to have them and they are lucky to have her serving in their mission. So proud of her in how she has handled every challenge that has come with this pandemic. She is unstoppable and amidst the challenges she has faced - she has learned to face them and spiritually grow from them. Yup, she is just like me when it comes to facing and learning from hard things because...we can do hard things! 

Eight more months and she's home! Merry Christmas everyone! 

The Homecoming Of Hermana Jorgensen!

I can't let the month of September go by without writing about Lexie's return from her church mission. She flew in late on a warm Tuesday night in August around 11pm and I couldn't believe how awake I was. It was so nice to have had all my crew to welcome her home including one of her dearest friends from high school. Owen is literally one of my favorites and he has always treated Lexie with respect. He was such a great sport to have waited with us so late and to have visited with us before we left. She was super excited to see him and we were super thrilled to see her. I could tell she needed mom hugs more than anything. I'm sure every missionary who returns home is so thankful to have survived and made it home to their families. Especially during a pandemic and I am extremely grateful that The Lord watched out for our daughter these past 16 months. What an amazing feeling to have her home with us and that she will be here with us until Christmas! Now that's exciting. 

Now for some welcome home photos...

One Year Church Mission Anniversary!

Today marks one year since our hermanitas mission began and we are so proud of all the work she has done n not only in sharing the gospel but in serving others in the simplest of ways. Serving in Arizona has brought her many adventures and unique experiences. Her emails are interesting and funny and I look forward to reading them every week. There were times where she didn't send one but nonetheless she keeps us posted and the fact that she had Covid and has since then recovered from it recently prevented her from writing so much. But as she wrote in one of her recent emails... the work goes on and advises us to do the same and look for the miracles. To be kind through a smile or a wave. To remind us that we all have the capacity to be a better person and to spread the love out there. I love her so much and she is literally my rock.

Life for her has been very unique these days. Being a missionary during a pandemic has been extremely different for her as it has been for all the missionaries who are currently serving right now. Her and her dad will exchange missionary experiences and talk about how indeed times have changed from when he served 30 years ago-without a pandemic! They have so much in common and it makes me happy to hear them have these spiritual discussions. These missionaries have so much to endure, and because some areas still can't enter into peoples homes have found ways to be creative. Their creativity expresses love and devotion and it shows through her smile in photos and her words in her emails. Her example is a strength to all of us and we can't wait for her to come home to us in six months!