A Time to Every Purpose

Ecclesiastes 3:1-7                                                                                                                             December 30, 2012

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

Dear family and friends,

                This week is a little harder write. There were a lot of major events that took place.

First we'll write of the joyful news. The young women we helped reactivate last year and her husband, who we taught and baptized, had their first baby this week, Svetlana a beautiful little girl. Stephanie called and asked us for a blessing as she started into labor. They told us the blessing saved the baby and prevented an emergency C-section. Both mother and baby are well and happy but there were some scary moments.

                David Butterfield came to church. David was a person Elder Sheffer taught on his first mission here, with Elder Wright. He was baptized and was very active for a few years. He had some hard things hit him and his first wife left. He was able to meet and marry another member who had lost her husband in a terrible accident. They went inactive. This is the first time he has been to church for a few years. He is such a good man. This Sunday he signed up to go out with the Elders and to go work in the vineyard next Saturday. We will attach the picture of him 36 years ago and the one from Sunday December 30, 2012.

                Jason and Laurel are getting married. This is a part member couple with twin daughters. He left the room when we came to their home. We told her we wanted to bless their home and wanted him there if he was willing. He came back in. We talked of concerns and blessed their home as set apart ordained representatives of Jesus Christ. He felt the spirit strongly and invited us back. On our return visit we prayed with him and told him how much the Lord loved him. We told him the Lord wanted him to be a member of his church and challenged him to be baptized on January 19. He said he would. We challenged him to get married and he said, "Sure!" This is when Laurel started really getting excited. He said he was possibly leaving to work on an off shore oil rig for two weeks on January 3rd. So we challenged him to marry on the second. He said yes. So, Sister Sheffer has another wedding to plan and little time to pull it off. It will be great (as usual).

                Now we go to the hard part. We were at the only baptism for our stake this month when we got the text from Esther (Sister Sheffer's sister) telling us of the passing of Tanya. She has been like a sister to us for more than 30 years. Our hearts are aching and tears are being shed.

                We got word today of a member who was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle. Frank Sumpter was one of the first people we met here in Visalia. He was at so many of the activities and functions we attended throughout the stake. He would always greet us and let us know he was there. He had a bicycle built for two he wanted us to ride. (We would have if we had helmets.) He had a shaggy beard and rode his motorcycle everywhere he went.

 He was rushed to the Visalia Hospital where he underwent an emergency surgery. He had internal bleeding and died early this morning. Every night he would go over to the stake center and lock the building. He helped set up or take down. He will be greatly missed.

                We ate a lot of places for Christmas. We watched "Brave" on Christmas Eve with the Zone. We have been walking in the mornings and there is a tree that is dropping bright red and green berries that crunch beneath your feet. They reminded us so much of Christmas and Christmas songs we took pictures of them.

                We resolve to learn more about our Savior and his attributes, humility, patience, charity, etc... The New Year has so many possibilities.    

We love you and wish you all the best,

Sister and Elder Sheffer

Ecclesiastes 3:10-11, 13-14

10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

11 He hath made everything beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God.

14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

Is that true?

Is that true?

Dear Family and Friends,

                Last night we were giving our district leader a ride home after an activity. He asked me, "Elder Sheffer, in Fresno I worked with Elder and Sister Jones. They told me that the Senior Couples only have two rules. One is that they have to take a nap every day. The other is they have to go on a date each week. Is that true?"

                I told him, "No, we don't have to take a nap unless we want too."

                We have tried hard to adhere to the young elders rules as much as possible. We do call or skype our family, we are using the internet often, and we don't care how many miles we put on our car. Lately we have split up a little. One goes to one ward and one to another to support our investigators, but that is rare. Other than those few things, we are pretty close to the young elders rules.

                We don't have to worry about working through lunch, working on Preparation Day, staying out late, and going out early. We do those things quite a bit. The young Elders and Sisters aren't allowed to.

                We do follow many rules. We leave our heater no higher than 68. We have our air conditioner no colder than 75. That is sometimes hard. Yesterday in the rain Sister Sheffer said, "Let's run into our cold cave for protection. We back each other out. I even videoed that once in the rain and put it on our Facebook page. Each Senior Mission is so different. The Mission President told us when we came that he doesn't worry about the Senior Missionaries. They have lived the gospel for a lifetime and can make their own rules. "Just make sure you get your studying in." he told us. In talking to other couples he told them something else. We hadn't been dating for almost a year when the President Gelwix told us he wants us to have a date night every week. He said if things are tight you could just spend a couple of hours. We are working on that. Going on a date isn't what missionaries do. We have gone to ward parties, the temple, and other functions. We do go watch investigators concerts or plays. If you count those kind of things we're not doing bad, especially in December. But, just to sit and watch a movie or go do some activity with just each other is super hard for us. There are just too many other valuable things that could be done.

                Well, it is Christmas Eve today. This will be my fourth Christmas in the mission fields of California. Two of them with the same companion. Each one is so different. Today is Preparation day. We spent it getting ready for the week, we spent some time with Elders watching a Christmas video Brave, and we skyped with family. We visited Bert and Julie's home where they hosted the "Bethlehem Dinner". There was a lot of family there. We visited Merrill and Meg's where it is already Christmas Morning in Japan. And now we go to dinner with the young Elders to be their chaperone in a single mother's home. We have a couple of investigators to see, then we'll be back home. We aren't to visit members on Mondays, except this Christmas Eve. We were able to visit a family and help the father set up a trampoline. We think it came from Santa's sleigh unassembled so he needed some special help..

                We have a lot of pictures. Sister Sheffer setting up for a Christmas Dinner; .Us at the Navtivity at the Temple in Fresno; Sister Sheffer by a tree  we found that actually turns colors and looses its leaves in December; Us with Santa and Mrs. Claus; and a cake decorated like a hamburger.

Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.  Teach your little one or your grand kids about the meaning of Christmas and the baby Jesus.  Talk about Him and sing about Him.  Let us not forget the Christ Child who became our Savior.  We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve Him in order for us to learn the true meaning of Christmas and of His teaching. (Elder Sheffer took this last part from our friends letter, Sister Cropper. It is so true)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Love you all.

Elder & Sister Sheffer

Merry Christmas Joy

Merry Christmas Joy

Merry Christmas Joy

We have been going to many ward activities each is unique and special. It is amazing how many different ways a cultural hall can be decorated. We have heard a couple of companionships say that as they were doing a church tour and show the potential investigators the gym all decorated for the Christmas party they have been asked if there was going to be a wedding reception. The saints here are very clever.

When we were at the Senior Missionary Christmas Party one of the sisters serving in the employment center showed us an unusual greeting. She raised her hand and formed a V with your fingers and said, "Live long and proselyte." We laughed and then Sister Sheffer had a brilliant idea. So, this week she dawned her Star Trek knitted shawl and went to Sister Cristi Miller's home to share the greeting and get a picture of it. It turned out rather nice and we were able to have an enjoyable lesson too.

We also helped with another wedding. This couple Joe and Cheeta at one time told the missionaries that they wanted to be married on 12-12-12. They were not sure if they were serious but surprise, the night before they called the missionaries and said, "Are you coming to our wedding?" These two young missionaries were put into panic mode. It was a testimony builder for them and many others to see how a ward family especially the relief society can respond to the needs of others to support and further the work of the Lord. It was very touching to see Joe lift Cheeta from her wheel chair to give her first kiss as his sweet wife. They have two children and their four year old daughter was handing them the rings and giving them instructions on how they should do it. Our hope is that they will be baptized soon.

One of the wards had the missionaries, Elder Hortin and Elder Spendlove as the wise men. At one party there was the story of the Grinch, and Elder Sheffer and the Grinch were almost as popular as Santa Claus.

We also had another training meeting with the ward senior missionaries. Their numbers are growing and we are praying for a couple to be called in two more wards. The work they are accomplishing is so wonderful. Their lives of service and experience are helping the missionary effort in so many ways. They are a stabilizing influence in the ward as young missionaries come and go. We are so grateful to the Lord for these phenomenal brothers and sisters.

At the same time the leaders were having a missionary meeting with President Gelwix. After the meeting Sister Sheffer told Elder Sheffer that he needed to come and talk to the President. When he got there he found that the only reason he was summoned was so Sister Sheffer could point out to the President that Elder Sheffer was wearing a tie that was not mission approved. She had told him before going to the meeting that someone would correct him. He said, "Not unless you point it out." We didn't know the President would be there. It turned out we were both right. Having both of us right, wow. (Guess who wrote this)

We would like to send a special thank you for Christmas greetings and news for family and friends. We love to hear from you all.            God Bless    Elder and Sister Sheffer

Ps We are taking an opinion poll. Do you read our emails? Are they to long for you? Do you feel the spirit when you read them? The first question will be answered if you reply!! We love you all!

It's a Wonderful Life

It's a Wonderful Life                                                                                       December 10, 2012

Dear Family & Friends,

It is a wonderful time of the year. Our thoughts turn to Jesus Christ and the world seems a little friendlier. We have been blessed to be asked to help at several of the ward's Christmas parties. It is such a joy to see the saints and the many recent converts. We reflect on the innumerable tender mercies that we have seen and experienced this past year. When you are praying for and looking for miracles the Lord helps to open your eyes and hearts to recognize His hand in the dance of life around us all. He weaves a tapestry of incomprehensible complexity with attention to every detail. Wow, that sounded profound. J

                We went to visit an investigator and when he drove up to the house his friend remembered us and started to visit. By the end of our conversation he was asking, "What do I need to do to be baptized?" We will be teaching these two lifelong friends together. It is so sweet when the Holy Ghost testifies. Another lady we have visited over many months said at our last visit that she had been praying and reading the Book of Mormon. We were so thrilled because at our last visit she was still not sure there was a God. Her heart is softening.

                We found and met with another person that Elder Sheffer knew from his first mission. It was David Butterfield. Thirty-six years ago this man was less active and he told a story of having a home  teacher who he thought was a good friend and then the people stopped visiting or making any contact. Months went by and David saw this person in the store and with surprise asked if he had moved away or had been ill. This man said, "No, I was just released from being your home teacher." Elder Sheffer remembered that story and vowed to be a friend to others even if the assignment changed. Elder Sheffer even had a picture of this man and his family from years ago and he printed it off our computer for him. We had a delightful dinner with them.  We forgot to take a picture this time. We hope to have another opportunity.

                We just had transfers and there has been a lot of change. We have been told that there will be several new missionaries coming in before our next transfer. It will be interesting to see how this is handled and meeting the eighteen year old Elders will be a moment to remember.

"Faith is the Power, Love is the Motive, Obedience is the Price, The Spirit is the Key, The Restoration is the Message, 

The Members are the Means, Christ is the Reason, Baptism is the Way, Joy is the Reward."

 

This was in the email we received from friend who is serving in New Zealand with her husband. Deann Hirschi always has great words or wisdom. Thank you for sharing Deann.

                                God Bless You All   Elder and Sister Sheffer

Pictures: Elder Sheffer picking tomatoes in December

              Senior Missionary Christmas Dinner

              Visalia Zone December 2012

              Former Elder Brent Young and his parents visiting from Nebraska