Training Ourselves

Training Ourselves                                                                                                           February 11, 2013

                3 Nephi 12:48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

Here in Visalia and in the valley there is a very long growing season so they prune the trees very drastically, especially the mulberry trees. This week we took some pictures of two of these trees. People are able to shape branches to create amazing canopies of shade in their yards, but in the early spring the trees look very awkward and mistreated. It causes us to reflect on the purpose of life. We are asked by the Lord to change our characters and control our appetites and passions and become like the Savior and learn to do the Lord's will not our own. This can seem to the outside observer to be harsh, awkward and a mistreatment. As other life's season progresses the result is a beautiful canopy that serves the purpose for which it was created. How is that for deep thinking? A gospel message can be found in so many common experiences in life.

We have so much fresh citrus given to us. We are including a picture of Elder Sheffer's breakfast. It was eggs poached in tomatoes, toast, grapefruit, and a glass of orange juice.

                We were invited this week to share in a birthday celebration for Linda Butterfield. We enjoyed the association and hope to see them again. They are a very special couple. We also visited with Stephanie and Victor Eastland. Their new little daughter, Svetlana, is adorable and so good. She sleeps through the night unlike our own children who thought it was alright to awaken their mother every three hours for the first six months of their lives. Sister Sheffer enjoyed holding this little one and feeling of her sweet spirit.

                We have been working with Russell Bennett, helping him to find some family names to take to the temple. Right now he has his brother William and one of his great grandfathers. He is planning to go to the Fresno temple on the 23^rd of February. We hope to go with him.

                We had fun, street contacting in Exeter. This small town is very quaint and boasts of having 39 murals painted on the sides of the buildings downtown. They depict the history of the area and historical events of the past. Sister Sheffer stood by the mural of an orange packing house where many women were employed. She fit right in. We hope to spend a preparation day walking the streets and seeing all of the murals.  

                                                                God Bless,   Elder and Sister Sheffer