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Jordan Ministries June 2018 Newsletter
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Dear friends,
 No, don't worry, I have not gone to the dogs! However, I do realize that last month's and this month's opening articles have focused on the beloved canine breed. One month and one day after losing my precious Cookie, I left my hair appointment and thought I would stop by Pawmetto Lifeline to just look on my way home. As I had spent the last month covering in prayer the prospect of adding a new furry family member, I had been very specific. Cookie was such an easy, welcoming, faithful dog. I knew his paws would be hard to fill. So I asked the Lord for a dog that would not have any aggression toward Zoey, my students, men or women.
As I walked through and looked into the faces of the misplaced dogs in their cages, no dog grabbed my heart, though they all were heartbreaking. But then I turned the corner and saw Sammy’s face. He had a cone on his head because he had just had surgery, and was heartworm positive. He had been in there for two months, after being at the pound before that. I learned that his owners had surrendered him, not wanting him anymore. I  immediately asked for a meet and greet, and in the little room as I knelt down, I wrapped my arms around him, kissed his face, and knew he was the dog I had prayed for. While I had also planned to go to Pets Inc. where we had gotten Cookie years earlier, it was settled in my heart that I was to be the one to give this precious dog a home again.
What a picture it has been of how God rescues and redeems our lives. While others may throw us away, He says His love for us is everlasting and He will not change His mind. He calls us His children, we are adopted, and we can call Him Abba (Daddy), Father.  All of our family’s pets have been rescues, and they always seem to be more grateful when you take them to their furever home. Sammy had been in a cage for at least two months, and now he has a home. A mommy, a feline sister, and music students, friends, and family that love on him as it should be. Oh this is what God has done for you and me, dear friends. He chose us, He loved us first. How grateful I am for this daily picture of the Father’s faithful love for me. And for you.
 His name is Sammy, a combination of Samuel (heard by God, asked of God) & Samson (sun child, bright sun). He obviously had a family in his previous life. Yes, I realize he even looks like Cookie, and he has such a happy face and sunny disposition. When I was praying about the next dog God would have me welcome into my home and family, God heard, He cares about the smallest details, and He answered.
"Praise the Lord...who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion." Psalm 103:2a, 4
"You came to my rescue, Lord, and saved my life." Lamentation 3:58
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—” Ephesians 1:4-5 NIV
Just like Sammy, we were once lost, orphaned, even imprisoned. But the Lord saw us right where we were, He reached down, rescued, and redeemed our lives. He gave us His name. We have an eternal home with our Heavenly Father.
So blessed to call you my brothers and sisters,
- Dawn
Ministry at a Glance:
 The month of June kicked off with a trip to New York to be with 2 wonderful churches, Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle and Dix Hills Evangelical Free Church, and what fun we had. Then on Sunday, the 10th I headed to Lancaster, SC to be with Tabernacle United Methodist church for their morning worship service. On Sunday, June 24th I was with Salem Baptist Church in Saluda, SC for their homecoming service. And what felt like finishing the month, but was really starting the next one, on Sunday, July 1st  I was thrilled to head back to Memorial Baptist Church in St. George, SC for their morning service. It was a pleasure to be with those precious friends again, and just like last time I left with some yummy goodies. Look at these wonderful, home grown veggies I will be enjoying this week!
 A llison and I enjoyed a rare “staff meeting“ at our favorite sushi place here in town last month. Oh, how I love this precious young woman of God, who is such a blessing to me not only as my Administrative Assistant/Schedule Coordinator, but also my precious sister and friend. Won’t you wish her a happy birthday as her birthday is this Thursday, July 5th? I could not do what I do without her.
June was a welcome reprieve from a busy travel schedule,  but she has me “on the road again” this month. Be sure and check out the schedule and join me if I am anywhere near you. I will be including a few of the new songs from my upcoming “Timeless Hymns II” CD in my concerts. Hope to see you soon!
September 13-16 I will be speaking at the Praise & Worship Weekend Ladies Retreat being held at the Laguna Beach Christian Retreat in Panama City Beach, FL. I would love for you to come down and join me there. If you are interested in attending, please call the Serendipity Boutique at 352-671-3288.
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Pastors, Worship Leaders, Women's Ministry Leaders, as you are looking ahead to your 2018 and 2019 ministry calendars, I would be honored to be invited to come and share my ministry as a part of yours as we partner together to reach people with the Good News of the Gospel. www.dawnsmithjordan.com
*Available Piggy Back Dates*
The following dates are available for me to stay over for a Sunday morning/evening concert. There would be no travel expenses, simply a love offering and a place to lay my head. Email me if you would like to take advantage of one of these dates!
Sunday, September 23rd (Lumberton, NC) - available p.m.
Sunday, September 30th (Lakeland, FL) - available a.m. and p.m.
Sunday, November 11th (Sophia, NC)- available a.m. and p.m.
Funnies from the Road:
At 4:20 pm on a typical Wednesday afternoon, as I sat in the Pawmetto Lifeline's waiting room, waiting to pick up Sammy from his first heartworm treatment, to officially adopt him, after  having appointments and students all day, I realized that I had been wearing two different shoes ALL DAY. I wondered if any of my students, their families, the handyman, the vet or the cable guy even noticed! (Yes, I have two pair of the same shoes, because I loved them that much AND they were on sale!) Sometimes the struggle is REAL. Laughter is good medicine, the Bible says, and you sure better be able to laugh at yourself at times like these. #neveradullmoment
True story. I was pulled aside at the airport and my bag searched on my recent trip to NY, being asked if anything in my carry-on was intended to hurt anyone. Yep. A Christian singer/speaker carrying a deadly tambourine! You better look out for my kind! In all sincerity, I laughed, but am grateful to the brave men and women that serve to protect our safety and security.
On the Homefront:
 June was the month for friends and sisterhood. The summer months allow me some much needed and welcomed down time after a very busy spring travel ministry schedule. My friend Melissa Bird and I were able to enjoy a day of paddle boarding on Lake Murray, a first for me. It’s always so good to catch up with a dear friend. Dinner out with friends, including their 92-year-old Mom and my 93-year-old neighbor  Martha, who turns 94 on July 4th was a rare treat.
One of my best friends and her hubby, both dear friends to my family, came through Columbia on their way to the South Carolina coast. I was delighted that Wayne and Yvette Eastham took time to stop by and treat me to one of our favorites for lunch, Zorba‘s. Precious were the years that the Lord brought them to Columbia, their home right around the corner from me, with a son and daughter my children’s ages years ago when Wayne was on the Music ministry staff at  First Baptist Church. It was then that He knit our hearts together. I had just journaled recently how much I was missing them, and the Lord heard my heart cry. Though they live back in their home state of Kentucky, we remain as close as ever and I love them dearly. How like God for them to even get to come the day after I got Sammy so they could meet him.
The Miss South Carolina Pageant took place here at The Township Auditorium in Columbia. Congratulations to our 82nd Miss SC, Davia Bunch. It’s always fun to reconnect with so many of my Former Miss SC sisters there annually.
For the past several years my sisterfriend Sharon Cone and her family have invited me on their annual week of vacation in the beautiful GA mountains. But every year it was the same week  as the Miss SC Pageant. This year I am so glad I figured out a way to make both work and spent two nights and two days with them on Lake Nottley kayaking, where eating homemade chocolate pie for breakfast was the norm, not putting on a stitch of make-up, resting, laughing, spotting a bald eagle, staying up late, sleeping in, simply enjoying being away together. You know you are blessed when your friends call yo u family. Thank you, Darla Momma for being my adopted mama (I am sure my precious mama will thank you when we get to heaven), Sharon & Krissi for being my sisters (I’m sure Shari will hug your necks when we are all together again too), Lauren for being my adopted daughter, and Lindsie, for welcoming me and my loud self.
One of my piano students, Ben McCleery has taken on the job as Sammy and Zoey’s new pet sitter. As you can see, Sammy already loves him dearly. Today he laid his head on his lap while he played in his lesson. I think they are best buds.
Both of my children are July babies. Ross will turn 22 on July 12, and Hannah one week later, will turn 25 on July 19. I can hardly believe I am saying this! Happy birthday to the greatest two blessings of my life. Oh how I love these children of mine.
© 2009, Jordan Ministries, Inc. - all rights reserved
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