"Therefore my [daughter], see that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again."
Alma 41:14
Dear Family & Friends,
This week we had a wonderful baptism of a lady we were asked to teach. She had been excommunicated. It was exciting to us to see how excited and happy she was to be able to be a part of the church again.
She chose the scripture Alma 41:14 for her program scripture with son changed to daughter and she loved it. The spirit was there. Her son baptized her and we confirmed her. Sister Sheffer gave the opening prayer. Sister and Elder Sheffer talked on Faith in Christ while she changed from her wet clothes. We read the sacrament prayers from Moroni and talked of promises we make and blessings we receive. Elder Sheffer gave the closing prayer.
That baptism was at 5:00 pm. The 6:00 pm baptism was the Spanish Branch. Sister Sheffer led the music. Then we went to the Second Ward High Priest Social in the cultural hall and had dinner. Then back to the Spanish baptism where we listened to the last three talks. Sister Sheffer almost makes you believe she knows Spanish when she is leading the music. The closing song was a hard one for Elder Sheffer to try and sing, and Sister Sheffer was singing and leading it. On Sunday night the branch president talked with Sister Sheffer and had her in tears. He told her that we are really making a difference in the branch and that we are creating a legacy. They hadn't had a senior couple in Visalia before. He said that two weeks ago in stake bishops meeting he was thinking we were working only in the branch and then he heard from many other wards about how we were helping in their wards too.
Saturday's last baptism was a wheel chair bound lady from the Third Ward. We helped her into the font where two elders balanced her and baptized her. Sister Sheffer was there to help her out, but said that she powerfully came up the stairs and got in her chair. Elder Sheffer was going to hold the chair steady for her, but when he went to the door by the font, she was already in her chair. So, Sister Sheffer and Sister Olsen wheeled her into the dressing room.
On Sunday we attended meetings with Exeter, 3rd Ward and 2nd Ward. We were in meetings without a break from 7:00 to 5:00. Then we taught a lesson and went to a dedication of a memorial for the bishop that was killed at the Conyer Building two years ago this month. We fasted with the Third Ward. (This was convenient. There was no time for food today.)They were having a special Missionary Fast. They had three recent converts talk about their conversion. One of them was Christy, who we helped give the baptismal challenge too. She has only been a member for 19 days, and here she was talking in Sacrament Meeting. She was raised Baptist. Her minister had warned her about Mormons many times. He told her terrible things would happen if she ever listened to them. She became ill during her pregnancy and was out of circulation for a while. Her friends moved on. She prayed for a friend. A member of Second Ward moved back into town to live with her mother again. All of her old friends had moved away. She prayed for a friend. She also prayed for someone she could help with the gospel, but she thought it would be two different people. They met at a park and talked to each other. They did more and more together. For the last few years Christy had stopped going to church. She was looking for a religion. Most people she met didn't impress her. She was a waitress and said that when someone came to the restaurant all dressed up and looking nice, they were either Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses. She knew she didn't want anything to do with either of those groups. As Christy talked more with Michelle, Michelle talked of family in Utah and going to BYU. Finally Christy asked, "Are you a Mormon?"
Later Michelle asked if she wanted to go to a jam making activity at the church. After being promised that there would be no preaching, she agreed to go. She was treated as a friend by many sisters. She made some jam and had a lot of fun. Michelle called her and said they had extra plum pulp and she could have some. She said, "If you want to come to church with me, I could give it to you there." So, Christy took her kids to church. She waited for the awful doctrine. She heard of love and teachings of Christ. The following week she didn't think she wanted to go back. She was nervous. But, her children said, "Mom, could we please go back to church?" She went back, started reading the Book of Mormon and the rest you know.
Love you!
Sister and Elder Sheffer
Pictures
The Lemon Cove Orange
Elder Sheffer buying locally grown olives from our friendly salesman John.
Paula Rice's Baptism
Arlene's Baptism
No comments:
Post a Comment