Dear Family and Friends,
Usually we have a wedding before the baptism. This week we had the baptism of Russell Bennett. Then we had the wedding of Paula Rice, who was our baptism two weeks ago. Yes, Sister Sheffer helped in the preparations, but not near as much as she offered too. The wedding was two hours north in Turlock. Paula and Ben plan to be sealed in a year. They had little wieners wrapped in bacon and cooked in a wonderful sauce. Dean would have loved it. Since he wasn't there Elder Sheffer had to eat his share too. Paula's son received his Eagle on Sunday, and we went to that for a half an hour before continuing to other meetings.
The first week in the Exeter Ward Sister Sheffer was in Relief Society when the president asked her to introduce herself. She told the sisters about our mission and then said, "We have been asked by the Stake President to "cover the Stake." So every six weeks we pray and ask the Lord where should we transfer ourselves and the answer was Exeter Ward." We learned later the Jennifer Foster was touched by the spirit and felt that we were here at this time to teacher her father. Jennifer was a sixteen year old when she joined the church some twenty years ago and she has always had the dream of being sealed to her parents. She decided to feed the missionaries and invite her parents also. Jennifer's mother Naomi was converted about 4 years ago and joined Jennifer and family in prayers for Russell. The dinner was wonderful and we had a family lesson. We asked the next week how things went and Naomi said Russell liked how the lesson focused on the whole family and not just him.
Weeks later they were planning their vacation and Naomi said she wanted to go to Salt Lake City and visit temple square and welfare square. Then she said, "I feel dumb asking you to do that because you don't believe in the things I do." And he said, "Who says I don't." We had a phone call asking if we would come to their home and have dinner and teach the first lesson. Jennifer and her husband would also be there. The lesson went well and just before closing we asked if he would prepare for baptism. He chose September first and Jennifer insisted it be at ten o'clock in the morning because she works as a nurse and would need to work later that day. Naomi added, "You can take your birthday vacation day on Sunday the second of September so you can be confirmed." Well the four weeks past with much anxiety on the part of daughter and wife, but Russell was always solid. What a glorious Saturday and Sunday. We have been invited back for the sealing in one year. We have been made part of the family by special invitation of the granddaughter. What an amazing experience.
Because of our trip to Utah we had failed to set up some of the appointments. It was wonderful when some of the people we are teaching called us up and asked when we could meet. That was way out of the ordinary.
Elder Sheffer got his second gold crown. We hope that is the last time we will see the dentist for this mission. The dentist had donated so much of his time and resources that we are greatly in his debt.
God Bless You All Elder and Sister Sheffer
Russell Bennett and family
Basket of Bounty
Matt Foster, Russell Bennett and Sheffers
Paula Rice and Ben Kern Wedding
Locee Rice Eagle Court of Honor
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