Sequoias

Sequoias                                                                                                                                             July 2, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

                This last Monday we went to the Sequoia Forests 35 miles east of us. We had the mission president, his wife, and the elders of the Visalia Zone go with us. We went to Moro rock and climbed to the top. This is similar to Angel's Landing in Zion, except it only has a drop of just over a thousand feet at the top. It is also granite. All the drops along the trail are under 300 feet, and that is how much you climb from the parking lot. The trail is only ¼ a mile long. We also went hiking through the trees and then to a member's cabin that fed us all lunch. The president addressed us at the cabin. He said, "Many times we pray to our Heavenly Father at night with a long to do list, like He was a butler. And in the morning we want to know what he has accomplished." The President suggested that we need to go to the Lord and give him a list of what we will do for Him and in the evening account for what we have done. That caused us to reflect. By the end of the day we were pretty tired, and we had driven over a hundred miles. Much of the driving was on winding roads in the mountains.

                Tuesday we had the privilege of going to the Bethlehem Center and serving lunch to people in need with several sisters from the stake. That afternoon we drove to Fresno with the youth from the Exeter Ward and helped with baptisms for the dead. It was a very sweet experience and a wonderful way to get to know the youth of that ward.

                                We have a less active sister who restores dolls (Gaylon) from one ward and another who loves to go to yard sales regularly (Bea) from another ward. We asked the yard sale sister to watch for an old doll that needed repair. She found one for a dollar. We took it to the other lady and gave it to her. We told her the church is kind of like this doll. It is very nice without her help, but could be wonderful with her service. After several weeks we dropped by and visited. The doll looked like new. She had sewn a new body, repaired cracks in the skin, repainted features and made pantaloons, a slip, a bonnet, and a beautiful dress for the doll. It was so exciting to see the change and how beautiful the baby doll was. We drove across town to show pictures to the sister that had found the doll. She was also touched.

                We are out here telling people who have forgotten how important they are to their FATHER in Heaven. We hope that all of you feel of this importance. It is a true principal and God wants you to feel his love for you. He is happy when you are happy. He sheds tears when you cry. Administration deals with billions of his children, ministration is one on one. Prayer is so important. God deals with every prayer. Often the answer is found in the scriptures.

                                                                We love you all,

                                                                Sister and Elder Sheffer

PS. Tomorrow is our Hump Day. WOW