Dear Family and Friends, January 22, 2013
Monday for FHE we were able to travel to Fresno and meet with the senior missionaries. We listened to the talk given by Clayton Christensen at BYU Hawaii about being a member missionary and then we shared experiences we have had and what has been effective. On the scary side of things was the Solomon's were in an accident on the freeway and their airbags deployed. They only had three weeks left in their mission. The Lord was watching over them. She had a small cut on her forehead. Other than that they were fine. The guy they hit gave them a ride to the meeting.
Sister Sheffer was asked to sing at Frank Sumner's funeral. His daughter Tammi McDowell wanted Amazing Grace to be sung and Denice Deason from the 1st ward asked if she would sing the soprano part. The first arrangement was very difficult yet beautiful. Sister Sheffer didn't feel that she had the time with all the other proselyting responsibilities to learn it in two days so she asked several people for a simplified version. Lorry Frost had a very simple version that was very sweet and poignant. It was a good experience and a wonderful way to celebrate Frank's life.
Wednesday was Sister Sheffer's birthday and it was a busy one. There is a sweet lady in the 6th ward with special needs and back last March she asked when Sister Sheffer's birthday was. She told her January. This ladies name is Gayle Gentile. She thought it was wonderful that she had the same name as Sister Sheffer. So, when January came again she asked Elder Sheffer what day of the month her birthday was. She remembered all this time. She called and made an appointment to see us on the 16th and she had purchased a cake, and paper goods to serve it on, in Sister Sheffer's favorite color. She was so sweet and so excited. Gayle helped teach and fellowship a man in her group home who was just baptized.
We had a call about a sister in the 2nd ward Alice Talbot. We first met her in October 2011. That was a first month of our mission. She was shopping in Wal-Mart with her grandson Chris. She chased us down with her motorized shopping cart because we had name tags on. She introduced herself and asked us to come to her home and teach lessons to her son Cecil, who was less active. We did that and during the next year visited several times, we even help decorate her Christmas tree. She was an amazing sewer and repaired missionary clothes for us and others often. Chris, her grandson, called to say she was in the hospital and we rushed down to give her a blessing. Elder Sheffer was concerned when he left. He was only able to give her a blessing of comfort and assure her that angels would be there to watch over her. He anointed and sealed. He was the only one that they let in before taking her to the ICU. He wanted to come the next day to give another blessing. The next morning Chris called to say Alice past away and he was at the hospital. When we arrived at the hospital he was being asked to go with the deputy to identify the body. Chris said, "I can't do that." He was alone. His father is a truck driver and was heading home as fast as he could and his aunts were traveling to get there. Chris asked us to identify the body. Of course we did. We had just taken a picture of Alice holding one of the many Christmas stockings she had created for her family. She will be greatly missed. She was always a joy to be around.
We had an enjoyable opportunity to train another senior couple the Powell's. They were here when Elder Sheffer served his first mission. We know they will serve well and touch the lives of many people. They have a daughter Maci, who was just married and has a blended family. When we visited her sons reminded us so much of our own sons. We will be having family home evening with them soon.
We spent Saturday in the vineyard pruning grapevines. Elder Sheffer bought Sister Sheffer the perfect birthday gift, Corona hand clippers. He heard that these were the best clippers. He did his research. Everyone laughs when they hear about his purchase but those of you who know Sister Sheffer would understand that she loved her gift and used them the whole time we were at the vineyard. Elder Sheffer is the best.
Sunday we were called upon to help an Elder. On Monday we were asked to drive north to take this young man to an appointment. The specialist was in Stockton, which is out of the mission boundaries. It was an eight hour trip but we were able to be back in time for our evening appointments.
This morning we fed the first ward Elders the traditional farewell breakfast of eggs in purgatory. For those of you who don't know what that is, it is eggs poach in tomatoes. Elder Sheffer loves to cook this. One Elder is returning home and the other is going to Turlock. They call this being doubled out. The First Ward will have Sisters now. Sister Sheffer will no longer be the only Sister in the Zone. We took some pictures at our last district meeting. The whole Zone was there for one last time. We put our cameras on a timer and run for the seats. Our camera only has a 10 second pause.
We are so happy that Grandpa Bert "D" Sheffer had a wonderful 85th birthday party and today is his birthday. Happy Birthday Dad, we love you.
God Bless You All Elder and Sister Sheffer
PS Thank you for all the cards, phone calls and the fun birthday puzzle from Japan.
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