Week 43 March 14 - 20

Today, Tuesday, March 14, 2017, I heard from Lesliann that her mother, Edwina Spencer Green Jordan passed away about 5 am.  Edwina is my dearest and eternal friend for many years.  We first met in Camarillo, California, in 1978.  We were in the same ward and her two children, Lesliann and Nathan were Kimberly and Kory's ages.  She was also married to Bob Green, who was from Emerson Ward in Idaho so we had a connection from the beginning.  We have had many great experiences together and a great love developed between us.  She was very loving and was always so kind to friends.  She was also very generous.  She would write sweet notes to everyone she knew and cheer up their day.  She loved to go out and eat and Chester Asia in Camarillo was one of her favorite places.

Mar Jean, Edwina, Rose

Lesliann, Edwiina, Tayla

Brian, Lesliann, granddaughter, Thaya, Spencer
Edwina, Nathan, Ariana, ?

Granddaughter

Lesliann, Brian, Spencer

Alaina 

Her children were her life. She sacrificed much for them and was justly rewarded by their good lives and choices.  She was always very proud of them and what they have accomplished.  She, of course, had regrets for Alaina, that she did not have all the blessings and nurturing she needed and deserved but she did her very best to see that she was happy.

Her sister, Thanna, was a great blessing in her life.  She actually saved her from a very abusive marriage and life.  I will always be grateful for her love and devotion and sacrifice Thanna and Gene made to help Edwina.

She had a hard life but also had much joy.  She loved the Lord and remained faithful throughout her life.  She went about doing good and cheering others.  She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh.  I love her so much and am sorry I was not at her side when she passed but know she is in a far better place where all cares and worries are gone and the pain she was feeling is now removed.  She is now in God's hands where she can be happy and continue her service to others until we all meet again.

Message from Lesliann

We wanted to let all our friends and family know that my Mother, Edwina Lyn Spencer Green Jordan, passed away this morning. One of her favorite hymns was, "Where Can I Turn for Peace" (quoted below) and we are just grateful she has finally found the peace she so longed for. We love and miss her. If you would like to know date and time of funeral please Facebook Message me and I'll give it to you.

"Where Can I Turn for Peace?"

1. Where can I turn for peace?
Where is my solace
When other sources cease to make me whole?
When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice,
I draw myself apart,
Searching my soul?

2. Where, when my aching grows,
Where, when I languish,
Where, in my need to know, where can I run?
Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?
Who, who can understand?
He, only One.

3. He answers privately,
Reaches my reaching
In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.
Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.
Constant he is and kind,
Love without end.

EULOGY FOR EDWINA SPENCER GREEN JORDAN

My sister and eternal friend, Edwina, will be sorely missed.  This is who she was to me.

She could not greet you or leave you without a big hug.  Hugs were her lifeline.  She had to have them every day to be happy.

She had a great sense of humor and was very smart.  She could remember names and dates from years gone by.  On a trip the two of us took from California to Idaho we sang every hymn we could think of for about three hours straight trying to stay awake.

She loved to play board games with her family and fought like crazy to win and she usually did.

She was so friendly and made friends easily and kept those friends.  She was often the one who would call first to check on you and see what was happening in your life.  She could strike up a conversation with anyone and have them laughing in minutes. She was very inquisitive and loved learning about others and their lives.

She was extremely loyal to family and friends.  She loved her family.  As a single mom she saw that Nathan and Lesliann were able to go to college and Nathan serve a mission.  She was extremely proud of Lesliann, Nathan and Alaina and spoke of them and their accomplishments often. They brought her great joy and she also worried about them a lot too.  Alaina was the joy of her latter life and brought her much comfort and happiness.  She also worried about you a lot too.

She was generous in many ways.  She easily gave of her money and time to others.

She loved to send greet cards.  It was her way of touching the lives of others.  This was one of the great joys in her life.  One year in Camarillo she sent birthday cards to all the members of her ward on her own.  She loved to cheer others on. She loved being a visiting teacher or supervisor.  It gave her an opportunity to talk to her sisters.  It brightened their life and also hers.

She had a Laugh that was contagious.  It was such a wonderful sound.  We would always say, that’s the old Edwina we know and love. 

She loved to eat out. Chester Asia in Camarillo was a favorite.  Lunch or dinner with friends or family was always a highlight in her life.  She told me often how she appreciated being invited to join Thanna and Gene while living with them. I personally thank you for all you did for her these last few years. She was always very close to you Thanna.   It was hard for her to be so dependent on others.  When she began losing her eyesight and had to give up driving, it was a very hard time for her to come to grips with that.

She could be very mischievous, she liked to crack a joke and watch to see if you got it.

She had a fighting spirit and sometimes could be stubborn.  But a kind word and a hug could dispel that.

She believed in the power of the priesthood and often sought a blessing.

She touched all our lives, and we need to remember her at her best.

She loved the Lord.  She had many challenges but stayed close to the Lord and used His atonement in her life.  She loved and believed in the blessings of the temple. The last few times we went to the temple together she was touched by the workers telling her what a sweet spirit she brought into the temple.   She knew without a doubt that she was a cherished daughter of her Heavenly Father and that He was aware of her and her struggles and joys.

The best thing her children and grandchildren can do to remember her is to live a life close to our Heavenly Father and follow her legacy of loving, caring and lifting others.  She is watching you even now and cheering you on.  She knows you can be a forever family and she is continuing to do her part to make it a reality.  We love you Edwina we are happy you are home.  

This morning we were to have a huge winter storm with storm warnings and maybe 24" of snow.  You never know for sure what you will get here in the city where we live.  The snow did come but is not very deep but has turned to sleet and ice.  Schools, government and many stores are closed but the temple is open.  Paul and I went over for the 11 o'clock session.  We were the witness couple and Sister Pratt joined us.  It was a wonderful session and President and Sister Bench brought me thru the veil.  Not very often that happens.  I came home and Paul stayed to help with some baptisms and be at the recommend desk. Very few workers came in except for the Temple Missionaries.  I will go back in 3:30 for our shift.  The 12:30 session had four sisters and one brother (the McKenna's are the witness couple.  I also came home to make some treats for later.

Bryn Bass is here trying to keep out of the cold.  I have her making a lemon bar to take to the temple later.  She has been working so hard on finding an apartment and a job.  I know the Lord will bless her for her dedication.  

Tyler is receiving his Eagle Scout award on March 26, 2017.  So proud of this young man.  He is a great brother and example of good.  So wish we could be there on that special day but we love you and are proud of you.  

picture thru the window

check out the snow shovel

***** This was a fun week in a few ways.  First one day in the temple it was not too busy and it could have been the day it snowed.  We did not have a lot of workers, mainly just the missionaries.  I was on the session and at the veil Sister Bench (matron) was presenting.  I was taken to her veil, what a special privilege and then to make it even better it was President Bench who was the receiver.  That does not happen very often.  It was really special.

Courtney and Sister Matthews in Hays Kansas

made cinnamon rolls for the Ward, they didn't make it so we took many to the missionaries on Sundaty

Mallorie and Kaylee at State Dance competition 

On Friday we decided to go over for the 2 pm session just in case they needed a witness couple.  When we got there we found out we were the only couple or patrons.  Because we had family names they said, we will hold the session.  We were the witness couple and the only ones on the session except for Elder Mumford, officiator, and Sister Chin, follower.  What a special session.  At the veil they took Paul thru first and then had him bring me thru the veil.  Another really special experience.  We have been trying to do three sessions a week which are not on our assigned time.  Sometimes we do a sealing session in place of one of them.  We have been able to help quite a few people receive their ordinances and progress.

Friday the Elders brought Samuel to the temple to do baptisms.  They came over before and had lunch and did some family hisotry

I have also been trying to do some indexing every day and look at Family Search.  I find when I do I find a name.  This week I was adding sources to people and fond a son who did not have a wife listed.  In the source which was a marriage certificate I found her name and none of her work had been done so we are doing it this week.

Elder and Sister Richards who are serving in the Kingsbridge 2nd Ward as MLS Missionaries                                           

Saturday was our Ward Temple Day but unfortunately just Elder & Sister Richards were able to come.  Bryn was at home and was getting all the meal ready.  She had it set out beautifully but no one came but the Richards.  Bryn has been coming over on Saturday when we leave for the temple and stays all day until we get home.  Hopefully she will get an apartment soon and a job.

A young man at the Mtr station playing for everyone while waiting for the train to come.  There is always someone there but this was a very young man and did a great job.

Saturday night we watched thru Webcam the RR Stake Conference session.  Lowell Tripp spoke of his coming back to the Church.  He told of how Paula and I met him and continued to meet and teach him the gospel.  So very proud of him and the progress he has made.  It was very special for him to share his testimony.  He is  planning to go to he temple when we return.

Today at Church it was Ward Conference.  A great meeting.  Bishop Fergeson gave a good talk on unity and the blessings which come from it.  President Jeffries talked about ask, seek and knock.  Every meeting should bring a change especially Sacrament meeting.  Prepare before coming.  Two years ago the Brethren were asking "what would give the people more power today"?  Sabbath Day!  come with more hope.  HF desires to anxiously bless us.  Always more room for improvement, What holds us back?  Focus with eternal perspective, atonement, Remember Him, He will send His spirit and we will overcome evil.   The temple gives us an eternal perspective, focus of our lives joy has to do with the focus of our lives.

We are so blessed to have the gospel in our lives.  May we ever be thankful for what the Lord has blessed us with.