Moroni 8:10-12
teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children.
11 And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.
12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world;
Dear Family & Friends,
This week seemed surreal. We started off like any other, full of hard work and excitement for the work ahead. We had the week booked with great lessons. We had three investigators we were getting ready for baptism. We were awaiting the call for the new little one to be here, Arden Gaile. Then the call came. Arden's stay here was to be a short one. The emotional rollercoaster started. How can we best serve our beloved children? Arden was assured exaltation. That made it easier for those left behind. Easier, but never easy. We had to decide if the Lord would bless our family more if we stayed on the job, or should we go and be there during this traumatic crisis. We made it a subject of sincere prayer. Tuesday we wondered what would happen. We worked hard, but we wondered. That night we prayed for help with the decision. During the night we felt the answer would be in a conference talk. We searched the talks. "We Are All Enlisted" October 2011 Conference by Jeffery R. Holland came to the forefront. It said, "permission is given for couples, at their own expense, to return home briefly for critical family events." Later in the article it said, "Those little darlings will be just fine, and I promise you will do things for them in the service of the Lord that, worlds without end, you could never do if you stayed home to hover over them. What greater gift could grandparents give their posterity than to say by deed as well as word, "In this family we serve missions!" So we knew the grandkids would be blessed by the Lord, and he would approve of us going home. We decided not to spend critical time driving and flew out of Long Beach. We left our car with Gaile's Sister Stephanie. We flew in Thursday and spent the night at Bert's house. Then we hiked Timp Cave Friday morning early, which is a family tradition after a baby is born, and tried to make some visits. We cleaned up at Gma Duncan's. Bert & Eldeane give us their truck to use. Then off to the viewing . The coffin was so small. Many came and many tears were shed.
We slept at Gma Sheffer's house and came back up for the graveside service, which was only immediate family. Elder Sheffer was to give the opening prayer. We had a very hard time finding the place, so we had to start late. Elder Sheffer prayed. Then, as the bishop and the mortuary director were starting announcements a humming bird came flying over. He hovered between the two men longer and closer than I have ever seen before. This made us think of a lady who we are teaching that had her husband die and was comforted by a humming bird coming up to her closely and lingering by her. Testimonies were shared and Bert dedicated his sweet daughter's grave. We went over to his house after and had a huge dinner the RS provided. We played football and enjoyed time together.
Then we went to Gma Sheffer's and they dropped us at the airport. Our flight was delayed. Stephanie picked us up and got us dinner, then we drove north. We spent a long time on a five mile stretch of Highway Five just north of LA. We saw a exit sign that said, "David Road." and we were so tired we took it and slept for a while. When the Sheriff came and woke us up we drove on back. We got home Sunday just before 2:00 A.M. We had meetings Sunday from seven to four. Then dinner and member visits. We are soooo tired.
Well, we are back to normal. Are we ever back? Are we ever "normal" again. Every event in this life shapes our future. There is one more little watchman (Guardian Angel) in Heaven watching over our family, and things will never be the same.
With all our Love,
Sister and Elder Sheffer (Mom & Dad, Grandma & Grandpa, Sister & Brother, Daughter and Son, and more)
Isaiah 52:7-8
7 ¶How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.
Pictures:
Is it we are just missionary minded or did someone put a sticker of the SLC Temple on the back of that truck?
The coach given to the family. The wheels roll really well.
Remembering
Grandma Gaile makes a pink bow.
Granddaughters enjoying each other.
¼ the way to the cave.
On the way
Notice Elder Sheffer is still on the trail. One foot in Zion one in Babylon.
Bert and Taffy
Alan & Kim's Family
Grandma with Lizzy
Nick, Amber, Malleya
Bert & Gaile
David and sons minus Merrill
Gaile & Julie
A few football game pictures before running to the airport.
David road south of Bakersfield after a early morning Sunday nap on the way back.
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