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| Jordan Ministries June 2016 Newsletter |
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Dear Friends,
"Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen," Ephesians 3:20-21 says. IMMEASURABLY MORE.  On May 15th at 6:00 p.m. my precious daughter married her high school sweetheart on the most glorious, sunny spring day in the middle of a vineyard in Long Creek, SC. Chattooga Belle Farm was the venue, as they stood in front of a beautiful cross adorned with yellow flowers, with the breathtaking view of the GA mountains directly behind them, Hannah Sharon Jordan and Clayton Parrish Little became husband and wife. As I sat up late last night looking through the photographer's pictures that so beautifully captured the entire weekend, my heart is full to overflowing at the goodness of God and the tears once again ran down my cheeks. Answered prayer realized as a mother for my daughter. The Lord gave her the man He created specifically for her...who first and foremost loves His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and then loves her. I could not ask for a sweeter husband for my daughter, or a sweeter man to join our family.
 As they stood before that cross vowing to love, cherish and honor each other til death, I was too caught up in the moment to do much more than wipe away tears. But as I sit here tonight, I breathe a sigh of relief. Yes, there were months of planning, choosing, dreaming, taking care of endless details, making numerous trips to the upstate for shopping, wedding dress fittings, and countless tasks to be completed, all the while waking up in the middle of many nights leading up to our outdoor wedding plans where I prayed and prayed and prayed again that it would not rain. And not only did it not rain, the Lord gave us the most brilliant blue sky day beyond what we could have even hoped for. Family and friends gathered, there was lovely music, Scripture, vows, rings, celebration, a love story shared, laughter and tears of joy. And now that it is said and done and they are back from their honeymoon and settling into their little apartment in James Island, SC, the beautiful day filled with so many good things is a treasured memory I will visit again and again in my heart and mind. The wedding has come and gone. And I now have a dear son-in-law that I am privileged to love til death parts us, and then for all eternity. The wedding gift Clayton gave me is a beautiful picture of a tree with 2 love birds in it, and it says, "One of us has been blessed to call you "mother" since birth; now the other has the joy of discovering what a privilege that really is." Truly, the privilege is all mine, to have another precious son to love. The Lord has been good to me.
His IMMEASURABLY MORE began on a cross, when He gave above and beyond all that I could EVER ask or imagine. He paid the price for my sin. Beyond all of my imperfections, He chose me. He loved me so much that He made the ultimate sacrifice so death would never part us. And so to me, this wedding is just a glimpse into the wedding that is to come, and the reception a small foretaste of when Jesus, the bridegroom, comes to take His bride, the church, home. Home...where there will be no more tears, sorrow, heartache, or death. Oh what a glorious day that will be. "Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb," Revelations 19:9 says. IMMEASURABLY MORE has only just begun. 
To Him be the glory,
Dawn
 
 
Ministry at a Glance:
The month of May was somewhat quiet on the  ministry front because of the joyous celebration of my daughter's wedding. On May 6th I was so blessed to be with the ladies of Plum Branch Baptist Church for their Ladies' Banquet. I was thrilled to share the evening with a packed sanctuary of sisters in Christ, joined by one of my precious voice students and her mom, Belinda and Sara Miller who live near there. I then took a short break to focus on Hannah and Clayton's wedding, but right back at it the weekend after.
 On Saturday, May 21st I was honored to be the speaker at the Thomas Sumter Academy's High School Graduation. What a delight and pleasure to be able to speak to the graduating seniors and pour into their lives what God has done in mine, to encourage them to trust the Lord with all of their hearts, and to live lives to honor Him. The next day on Sunday, May 22nd, I was in concert locally at Westside Baptist Church in West Columbia, SC.  I loved getting to see many family friends that evening, and am still enjoying the delightful picture proudly hanging on my refrigerator that the Minister of Music, Seth Smith's daughter Emmie gave me.
 The following weekend I was delighted to be with Branchville United Methodist Church for an evening concert, where Branchville Baptist Church also joined us making a full sanctuary and a delicious spaghetti dinner and fellowship afterward.
Looking ahead to June I have several concerts booked, but still have plenty of openings. Saturday, June 4th I will be at Wilson Grove Baptist Church in Mint Hill, NC speaking/singing at their women's luncheon. Then on June 8th I am looking forward to speaking/singing at Easley, SC First United Methodist Church for their Methodist Women's Meeting. Sunday morning, June 12th I will be sharing in a concert at 10:00 a.m. with St. Paul United Methodist Church in Saluda, SC. On Sunday night, June 26th, I am looking forward to being in concert at Red Bank United Methodist Church in Red Bank, SC at 6:00 p.m., right down the road from where I grew up. And at the end of the month I will be speaking to the teachers of Hebron Day School in West Columbia, SC the morning of the 28th.
On May 31st, I thanked God for my younger sister Shari,  and for the gift she was to me for 17 years. Hard to fathom it has been 31 years that her life on earth ended and ours was changed forever, but her testimony of faith in the face of fear lives on. What was meant for evil, God meant for good. I'm so grateful for heaven, that she had put her trust in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and on June 1st her Father welcomed her home saying, "Well done, my good and faithful servant," and I will see her again.
***FREE SUMMER CONCERT OPPORTUNITY***
(Free is ALWAYS in the budget!)
I am currently scheduling my summer love-offering concerts for the months of June and July, and I would love to come to your church! I only ask for a love offering and mileage. Available dates are: 6/5, 6/12 (pm), 6/19, 7/3 & 7/17. My summer concert is for the whole family and a great way to plan something special for the slower summer Sundays...a mix of hymns, worship songs, my original songs, me at the piano, some testimony, laughter, and even a song especially for the children to join me on stage. Summer is always a slower time for ministries like mine, so with a heart to be a blessing to churches that don't have a budget for a guest artist to come in, it's a great time to have something special planned. Email me at mail.dawnsmithjordan@gmail.com or call (803)772-7747 and schedule your Sunday morning or evening before they all get booked.
Also, churches don't have many outside guest speakers/singers/artists in during the summer due to so many of their congregation being away on family vacations, camps, etc. As a result, the finances in our ministry go way down. If you are considering making a one time gift to this ministry, or even prayerfully considering partnering with us, we would be so grateful. Dawn shares concerts on a love offering basis in the summer, and this is our only source of income for June, July and August.
Checks can be made to: Jordan Ministries
P.O. Box 2846
Irmo, SC 29063
All gifts are tax-deductible, and Jordan Ministries, Inc. is a non-profit 501c(3) organization, and help us to continue to spread the Good News of Jesus. We thank you for your prayerful and financial support.
Funnies From the Road:
As I was singing a song for the children at West Side Baptist Church, I looked over to see the youngest daughter of Seth Smith (Minister of Music) with her fingers in her ears. As the children joined me up on stage, she had unfortunately sat right next to my monitor speaker, and it was too loud for her little ears!
On the Home Front:
 May was a whirlwind! The first Sunday I headed to the upstate to attend my college roommate Julie's daughter Sally's bridal shower, then on to Hannah's for her final bridal fitting and last-minute wedding details. My now  son-in-law graduated Magna cum Laude from Clemson University on the 6th, and after celebrating with him, I left Greenville and drove straight to my dear friend's daughter Jordan's wedding in Elgin that evening!
 Oh what a treasured time Sharon and I have had being MOB's together, as our daughters' weddings were just one week apart. And would you believe that after these girls grew up together, and were basically bookends, they chose the same wedding dress unbeknownst to each other! Oh what beautiful brides they both were.
May 13-15 was Hannah and Clayton's wedding weekend, and it was such a beautiful time spent with family and friends, celebrating their marriage. 
On the 19th, 20 of my 23 piano/voice students presented a beautiful music recital to their family, friends and residents at The Heritage at Lowman Home.
Hannah and Clayton enjoyed a honeymoon cruise, and I headed to a week of much-needed vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC. With this being my first family vacation without  either of my children, I was so happy to have Sharon and her daughter Lauren join me the first half of the week, then my brother Robert  and sis-in-law Elizabeth join me the 2nd half. Oh how this MOB treasured sitting in my chair, reading, sleeping in, and doing absolutely nothing after a whirlwind year so far!
Ross's sweetheart Brianna came home last week to visit her family and attend her sister's baby shower, and I was so glad to get to share breakfast  with her at IHOP before she headed back to a very happy Ross, who missed her terribly while she was gone. And since they were unable to be home for the wedding, I have already booked my ticket and will be traveling to Denver, CO in July  to visit them and celebrate his 20th birthday! For June, I am looking forward to attending Julie's daughter Sally's wedding, and then participating in the 80th anniversary of the Miss South Carolina Pageant here at the Township Auditorium in Columbia, SC. I will continue to teach 2 days a week for Summer Session music lessons, and enjoy Aunt Dawn's Day Camp with my niece and nephews, and a much slower pace of life.
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Product Highlight
As this is the summer vacation reading  season, Dawn's 2nd book Thus Far...A Book About Life, Love, Loss and the Lessons Learned Along the Way would be a great book to add to your list. A follow-up to her first book, this documents many of the more recent years of Dawn's journey of faith including the full story of forgiving her sister's murderer, single motherhood, the death of her mother to ovarian cancer, and choosing to find joy in the journey regardless of the circumstances of life. It would also be a great gift idea for someone you know who is struggling and in need of encouragement.
Order your copy/copies today here
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Dawn's Blog Amazing Grace Notes
My new blog is entitled "Amazing Grace Notes," and I would love to invite you to join me at http://dawnsmithjordan.blogspot.com/
for regular updates.
Tax-Deductible Gifts
As you are prayerfully considering becoming a monthly partner, or sending a one time gift to Jordan Ministries remember all gifts are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated, Jordan Ministries is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Make your donation to Jordan Ministries, and mail them to P.O. Box 2846, Irmo, SC 29063. Thank you for partnering with us through your financial gifts and prayers.
Monthly Give-Away
Follow me on my DAWN SMITH JORDAN Musician/Band Facebook page to be eligible for the monthly prize give-away trivia contest!
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Upcoming Events
Saturday, June 4
Wilson Grove Baptist Church
Mint Hill, NC
Women's Luncheon
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, June 8
Easley First United Methodist Church
Easley, SC
Methodist Women's Meeting
10:30 a.m.
Sunday, June 12
St. Paul United Methodist Church
Saluda, SC
Concert
10:00 a.m.
Sunday, June 26
Red Bank United Methodist Church
Red Bank, SC
Concert
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 28
Hebron Day School (at Mt. Hebron UMC)
Teacher Meeting
Sunday, July 10
Tabernacle UMC
Lancaster, SC
Concert
11:00 a.m.
Sunday, July 10
First Baptist Church Bishopville
Bishopville, SC
Concert
6:00 p.m.
For more information and details on specific events go to www.dawnsmithjordan.com
Follow Dawn on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram where we post regular updates and prayer requests.
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Hodge-Podge:
A Note from Allison
I recently finished a study on the book of Judges, and can we all agree that it is quite the gruesome read?! I could write a page on the Israelites here, but that's not where I want to go. Through the study I found myself identifying most with Gideon; and I think he gets a bad rap. Here's why: yes he doubted, he had excuses, he questioned God, he may have even pushed the boundaries on testing Him; but so do we! How many times has God told you or prompted you to do something and instead of saying "Yes Lord" you questioned if that's what He really meant. Not because you needed true confirmation but because you doubted your ability or didn't want to do it. Gideon didn't have confidence in himself yet God wanted Him to go fight. Has God prompted you to do something that was maybe outside of what you felt capable of or comfortable doing. Maybe He's asked you to pray for someone yet you "explained" to God that you don't know what to pray for. Or what about taking someone dinner, but you argue that you aren't a very good cook, or you can barely cook for your own family. Maybe it's serving in a ministry at church but God doesn't understand that you aren't a "people person." I know I've argued God's directive, because I didn't feel equipped for the task. And what blessings have I missed out on? Seeing God's hand at work, watching His glory be revealed to others, sharing His love. Remember, if God tells you to do it He will equip you for it. I pray I always have the faith, courage and obedience to trust and walk in His guidance, and for you to do the same. What wonderful works of the Lord we shall see when we obey!
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