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.

Week 42 March 7 - 13

Tuesday we decided to attend the 11 o'clock session.  I was out of names.  In the locker room I saw Sister Pratt and asked if she had a name I could do for her.  I was an answer to prayer.  She also had some baptisms and there was a group in the baptistry and she was trying to decide whether to do a session or baptisms.  So I took her name and she went to do baptisms.  It's so nice to know you can be there for the Lord even if you do't recognize it right at first.

We are off to Costco today.  Want to get a few things before Kimberly and family get here. We had a successful trip and because of the time of day did not have any trouble in the bus getting home even though we had the big cart.

took two benches to get all the groceries in

We were on a sealing session with President Bench Wednesday evening and it was very sweet.  We sealed several families with three or four children all at the same time.  One family had two infant children who died and President Bench commented about how it must have felt to have lost these two children when they were young and now to have them sealed to them forever.  A great spirit in the temple.  We had five cleaners show up and the work got done quickly and everyone got out early.  We are last out this week and so have been trying to get the missionaries out as soon as possible instead of waiting around for someone to excuse them when everything is done.

We are going to a 8:30 sealing session Thursday morning with Bro. Garf.

Week 41 February 29 - March 6

Back on days and adjusting.  Lots of time in the morning to do things.  Today got up and went up to the 7th floor to exercise.  Did some indexing, read a lesson from the Institute Manual "Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel" Jesus Christ is the life, light, and hope of the world.  Read the Church News,  Did some Family History and added some sources.  Went to the bank to get money to send to Courtney and her old companions, stopped at the PO and back home.  Paul did the laundry and took a nap.

Received a wonderful letter from Courtney this week.  It follows:  (I want to remember it)

Dear Grandma and Grandpa,  Sorry it has taken me so long to actually send a letter but I am so grateful for all that you do!  Thank you for all the love and support you give me.  I love you so much and I am grateful for your examples to me by serving missions.  I love hearing your experiences in the temple and where you are serving.  Thanks for leading me on the right path.  Also, thank you for adopting my companions.  In means a lot to me and them.  More granddaughters, totally but thanks for being such awesome, and loving grandparents.  I am so grateful I have you.

This gospel of Christ is amazing.  I always learn something new every day and I'm so grateful for Him in my life.  The Savior is everything.  I've decided that missions are the best and we're really able to  to know our Savior even more!  What an amazing opportunity!  I'm so thankful for the gospel and for our Savior Jesus Christ.  Thank yo for teaching me His ways and leading by example in the way you live.  But I just wanted to write this short little note.  Thank you so much for all that you do and have done!

Love you so much   Sister Courtney Radford

Monday we spent the day with Brother Tran, from the temple.  He took a bunch of the missionaries to China Town.  Brother Tran serves on Tuesday mornings.  He is originally from Viet Nam and left in 1972 at age 16 with his brother.  At age 16 they would be  inducted into the military and to escape that his brother used his papers and he had to get new ones and then they were able to get out of the country the same time the US were withdrawing.  He went to Hong Kong for about four years before coming to New York.  He is an insurance salesman and joined the Church here.  He was baptized in Manhattan because there was not a chapel with a font in Brooklyn.

He told us a few stories and then took us to a restaurant where we tried all kinds of dimsiing, dumplings, a beef dish and some jello desserts made with coconut flavoring.  Was really fun.  The strangest thing we tried was chicken feet.  I did not try it.  They looked tasty but the others said it was just skin and sinews.  Paul also found a place to get his glasses adjusted and fixed.

Our table,Sister Holloway, Nabors, Heidemans, Beans

Brother Tran, Grimleys, McKennas, Mumfords

Brother Tran, Grimley, McKennas, Mumfords

Yummy chicken feet.  Brother Tran wanted all left overs

Brother Tran and Paul

Restaurant server, they came around with a tray and you picked.

typical fish market

chicken feet

typical shop

War memorial with Sister Kathy Nabors

A really fun day and good week.  We love the Lord and are so happy to be able to serve him here in New York City and the Bronx.

Week 40 February 21 - 28

We had Sister Orhn over for dinner on Wednesday evening.  She has been so kind to take us to several places in the city.  She has been here siince 1960's.  She has also been working the temple for many years and is now in charge of the veils and curtains in the temple.

Mar Jean, Paul and Lynn Orhn

Elder & Sister Kevin and Beth Riedler, military missionaries at West Point.  They served every week on Thursday in the Temple with us.  They are going home to  947 E Green Oaks Dr., Bountiful, UT 84010  571-205-0007 Kevin  571-205-0006 Beth.

This was our last week on days in the temple.  Lots of lasts.  We will still see them in passing at 3:30 to 4:00.

Monday evening the Pelo family Brad and Melody, invited us to dinner and FHE.  What a great family.  Emily and Ben both serve in the temple.  This family has ten children.  Only three young ones and Emily and Ben who are in their 20's are home now.  They are home schooled so they get to come to the temple for baptisms often.  We had NY pizza and birthday cake and some great salads.  For FHE they us and the Harris' share a lesson learned that would help their family.  I chose missionary work and example from my heritage, Great Grandparents, grandparents and parents, brothers, and son and son-in-law.  Paul also talked about temple and how at first he would say no to requests to attending a 5:30 am session, then asked to be a veil worker, then asked to be an ordinance worker and how saying "I think I can do that" has blessed his life.

Great people here in NY.

McKay, Emily, Brigham, Ben, Ellie (now shown) and cousin

 On Sunday we attended the Manhattan Ward.  Great meeting with Sister Causus leaving on a mission to Oklahoma.  We then went to Penn Station to pick up the Juvenals who were coming from the DC Temple.  We stayed with them over shutdown and they came down to spend some time with us and see the city.

Paul, Mar Jean, Sue and Ron Juvenal

 Tuesday we went over to the temple for the 11 o'clock session and on Wednesday we went with the Juvenals.

On their way home to DC

 Sunday evening Paul and Ron went over to the Church because Elder Gong was there to speak with the Missionaries from the NY North mission.  They caught him and Pres. Smith serving ice cream to the missionaries.

 Also ran into some of our favorite missionaries from Kingsbridge 2nd Ward time.

Elder Lewis, Elder Lewis

Elder Pirez, Elder Pula

Elder & Sister Richards

Elder Sumsion

Elder Tabor and his companion the AP's

Week 39 February 14 - 20

It started out as a slow week.  We were again wondering where all the patrons were.  We might have had only a couple of baptism groups all week and very small sessions.  However come Saturday we were found.  The baptistery was full all day.  Did I saw Sister Vargas broke her ankle during the snow storm last week and so they called in Sister Diere to come in and help.

Sister Vargas and members from her Ward stopped to visit after Church

  It was quite a busy place all day.  Also all the sessions all day long were full.  They were afraid they were going to run out of clothing.  It gave us an opportunity to find all the aprons which had green tint ties.  Sister Harris has been changing them while the rest of us unpick.  

Saturday was also our Ward Temple day and these wonderful people showed up at the session and came over for some dinner.  

Sister and Brother Matthews and their children, Bryn Bass, Paul, Elder and Sister Richards

Our new couple Elder & Sister Young, from North Carolina, arrived on Friday.  We all chipped in and supplied their apartment with food so they will not have to go out for a few days until they get their bearings.  

Monday was President's Day and the temple was open and manned by the missionaries.  Elder & Sister Grimley were coordinating.  It was another wonderful. Paul and I went in at 6:30 along with the Harris' and Grimleys.  The rest of the missionaries came in at 8.   We had 34 youth plus adults in the baptistery and the two sessions were both full to capacity.  Paul and I officiated and followed the second session.  What a wonderful day.  

Paul invited all the missionaries from Kingsbridge 2nd to come for lunch.  He had to leave and go give blood while I fed 12 missionaries.  They came in groups, thank goodness.  First four sister missionaries and then Elder Tabor and his companion, the new AP's, then the six Elders.  It all worked out and I think they got enough to eat.  It is always fun having them in our home.  

Elder Tabor and Companion, the new AP's to the President

Sisters Bongolto, Engmann, Sine, and Simons 

Elders Tonner, Cosela, Jimenez, McNairy, Pires and Kolyonor

The day was not over yet.  That evening at 6 pm we had a FHE at the Benches.  I was the coordinator for the dinner along with Sister Bench, Bean, Nabor and Holloway.  We had a wonderful dinner, cordon bleu, sauce (from Rob), baby potatoes, green beans, rolls, salad and ice cream sundaes.  After dinner we had a meeting and also introduced the Youngs

Missionary Couples Pres & Sister Nixon, Bench, Bean
Sister & Elder Heideman, Lewis, Mumford, Young, McKenna, Nabor, Holloway and Grimley 

A bio of Elder & Sister Young:

Employment: Ralph worked 36 years in the microelectronics industry (IBM and Sandia National Labs). Holly was a school teacher, a music teacher, and owned her own retail and photography business.

Previous temple service: We have been ordinance workers in the Washington D. C., Boston, Albuquerque, and Columbia South Carolina Temples.

Holly grew up on an apple farm in Clintondale, NY. Ralph was raised in Poughkeepsie, NY and served in the Mexico, Southeast Mission. While we attended BYU, we lived in Orem, UT. After grad school, we lived in Poughkeepsie, NY for 24 years, then in Albuquerque, NM for 12 years. We have lived in Denver, NC for the last 2 years.

Currently, we have 4 children and 12 grandchildren with whom we enjoy visiting and travelling.

Holly's hobbies include music, family history, reading, interior decorating, water sports, landscaping and yard work.

Ralph likes fixing things, tinkering with physics equations, programming, and camping.

We look forward to our arrival and getting to work in the Manhattan NY Temple.  

Elder and Sister Young

Dear Lewises, 

Your dinner was so very lovely!  Thank you for all your efforts for which we're all grateful.  The menu and the results were wonderful.  We loved it.  As did everyone.

We cannot thank you enough for the example you set for all the missionaries of hard work, of smart work, of willingness to find what needs doing and doing it, without asking if there's anything that you can do to help!  You just DO it.  

How we admire that in you both!  You have boundless energy, and you're willing to spend it on the Lord's errand.  What more could He ask?

How we love you!

Sincerely,

The Benches 

We received a nice note from Eric Bila.  He was in our Temple Prep class in Kingsbridge 2nd ward and moved to Provo. 

"I miss you so much! everything is doing well, I appointment with the Bishop to meet this Sunday for my Temple atonement.  LDS is the same everywhere the same but to be honest I have to say that I still haven't met Teacher with deep spirit like you.  You gave me enough motivation to continue to grown my faith and I would never lost theat habit, you gave me a deep feeling, about the Temple.  I love you!" 

We gained another Granddaughter this week.  Courtney's former companion Sister Rodriguez.  We love these girls.  I now have three, Sister Chisholm, Rodrigues and Sister Mondragon (from Pen 3) serving in NJ.  

Kimberly and Gary and Kory and Katie and family spent the holiday in Island Park snowmobiling.  Rob took Robbie and went ice fishing in Strawberry and then took all the boys on Monday.  Kelly stayed home and worked on the house and yard.  

Week 37 February 7 - 14

Tuesday we were back in the temple.  So great to be back and back to work.  Everything looks so great in the temple.  Very bright and beautiful.  Wonderful to be back with all our missionary friends and local workers. However, it was a very slow day.  Thank goodness for tourists.  It was a rather slow week all week.  I was, however, able to  do several of my own names.  Paul and I were also able to do some sessions together and do sealings together.

Our session with President Nixon was especially spiritual.  He is a great man and very close to the spirit.

Thursday we had a snow day.  They were expecting a huge snowfall.  It did give the schools a snow day.  We went into the temple at 5 am and it was snowing but not hard.  About 10 it was really coming down, so they say.  When we finished at 12 we decided to stay and do the 12:30 session which ended up having six couples on it.  By the time we came out the snow had stopped.  I ran out about 10 to get some medicine and it was cold and blowing snow and slushy streets.  People were shoveling off the walkways.  Something happened down under the street, Columbus, because since Thursday we have had electric trucks, cable trucks digging and doing something under the street.  It took out the temple internet.

Today was the last day for Elder & Sister Buchanan and Sister Thompson.  The Buchanans have been here twice and for 23 months each.  They will be very missed.

Monday Sister Nabors and Heideman went to the NYC Library and took a tour.  It was so great.  What a beautiful building with lots of history.  It is a research lilbrary and is free.  You cannot check out a book but you can study it at the library.  One of the best in the world.

Clifford in the children's section 

From the map room showing California as an island

NYC Library

Original Winnie the Pooh and friends

Winnie the Pooh

Elder & Sister Adams, FH Missionaries here at the Temple came over to help us figure out how to get to work.  They are real experts and wonderful people from American Fork.

Elder & Sister Adams teaching Paul FH 

 We ran into Elder Sumsion aet the Stacy Nelson fireside held at the Manhattan Ward.  She was very iinspiring.  He said he is doing well.

Elder Sumsion at the Stacy Nelson fireside.

 That same evening we ran into Sister Watkins.  Her dad served in Camarillo as a young man and her grandparents, The Fraziers, were our coordinators in the Jordan River Baptistery when we served their last year on Mondays.

Sister Watkins, granddaughter of the Fraziers and daughter of Elder Watkins who served in Camarillo