For Ardella.....

Today was a very special day for Will and I. Someday, I plan on printing out this blog, so I wanted to make sure this day gets recorded.

Will was born in Indiana to Wayne and Ardella Andrews.  When they got married, Ardella was only 14 years old.  By the time Will was born, she had 8 kids and was 24 years old.  She ended up having 11 children in all, I believe.  Wayne worked as a tree trimmer, so they never had much money.  The state eventually intervened and placed all the children in foster care, so they would get cared for better. Some of the older kids actually ran away from their foster families, and went back home.  Will and his younger sister got placed together, with the Rodgers family, who eventually adopted them.  The Rodgers family met the missionaries and got baptized, so Will grew up with the Gospel.  :)

In the early 90's Will met his biological parents, and a most of his siblings over a few year's time.  He is very close to his oldest brother, Roger who comes to see us regularly. When we lived in Iowa, one of Roger's girls got married, so we went to the wedding.  I was able to meet both of his parents; Will takes after his mom!  She is dark like he is.  His dad was very quiet but very kind.  Our visit with them was brief since we had to get back to law school.  That was the last time we saw them.  But, Will always called his mom on Mother's Day to tell her he loved her.  She always cried.  I imagine it has been hard for her to deal with the fact that her children were taken from her.  Will always wanted her to know he harbored no hard feelings towards her or his dad for the past.

She passed away a few years back and Will has wanted to do her temple work.  He set a goal to get it done, and I was very willing to be a proxy for her.  This morning we got up very early and set out for the Brigham City Temple.  We wanted to do her work there since that temple is special to me, being from Brigham City.  It was our first time doing temple work for someone we actually knew.  As I got ready to leave I wondered if Ardella knew what we were going to do for her that day.  I was anxious to get to the temple; I just wanted to GET there! It was probably silly, but I was worried something might stand in our way; car trouble, traffic or something! 

There was a very special spirit in the temple today.  As I took Will's hand as we waited for our turn in the font, we both started to cry.  It was such a sweet feeling to do her work.  She had a hard life.  She did not have the gospel and maybe wondered if the Lord had forgotten her.  Well, Ardella, your wonderful son, Will did NOT forget you.  We love you.  The Lord loves you.  All is well.

Will's dad, Wayne passed away during the summer, so we are counting down the days so we can go and do his work.  What a blessing temples are.  What a loving Father in heaven we have.  My joy is full.