Grandma Gaile

Elder Sheffer's Christmas Wish

2012-01-07T21:01:00.000-08:00

We were also helping with the Visalia Fourth Ward Christmas party. This time Elder Sheffer was able to ask Santa for a White Christmas. We have been to so many ward parties and met so many good people.

Santa at Ward Party

2012-01-07T20:52:00.000-08:00

We were at the Visalia Third Ward Christmas party helping with the food when the Brother in charge came into the kitchen worried about Santa being to sick to be at the party. Elder Sheffer said he would check on Santa. It was a miracle, Santa was feeling better after Elder Sheffer's visit and he came to the party. Santa even took time to ask what Sister Sheffer wanted for Christmas. She wanted a White Christmas, which in missionary language means a baptism.

Thanksgiving 2011

2012-01-07T20:37:00.000-08:00

For Thanksgiving we were invited to the Cranes home for a lovely dinner and then the mission president gave us permission to watch 17 Miracles at a members home. Their was a sweet family in the Visalia 1st ward who has a beautiful home theater and they invited our whole zone to watch the movie with them. It was a great gathering and a faith promoting movie. Thank you Henriksen family.

Transfer photo

2012-01-07T20:30:00.000-08:00

Very six weeks there are transfers and the Elders and Sisters don't know who will be moved to a new location. So, for the last district meeting before transfers the missionaries pose for pictures. These is our first transfer photos.

First Package and Letter

2012-01-07T20:23:00.001-08:00

We were so happy to receive our first package and letter.

Happy 55th Birthday David November 2011

2012-01-07T20:21:00.000-08:00

We have an investigator, Angie Roque, who makes amazing cakes, so we asked her to make a cake for David's birthday. She does theme cakes and so she made a missionary cake. she placed a temple and a house on the cake with a road between them. On the road she place a yellow bike, the same color as David's old mission bike, and on the bike a Bible and Book of Mormon. We took it to district meeting and shared it with the whole zone.

Mission Apartment 1977

2012-01-07T20:10:00.000-08:00

This is what the apartment looked like 35years ago. Yes that is David jumping down the stairs.

Mission Apartment Found

2012-01-07T20:06:00.000-08:00

We found David's apartment from his first mission. It is on 110 W. Laurel Ave. Visalia, CA. When he was on his first mission he had a photo of himself jumping down the flight of stairs.

Coach Rowland at Zone Conference

2012-01-07T19:42:00.000-08:00

This is from our first zone conference. This is a picture of Fred Rowland and his wife Linda. Elder Rowland was Gaile's biology teacher in high school and her brother Taylor had him for a wrestling coach. He said he was really feeling old to have one of his students on a senior mission at the same time that he was.

Meeting the President

2012-01-07T19:12:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of our mission president and his wife. President D. Larry Gelwix and Cathyren. We made the trip to the mission office in Fresno and Sister Gelwix was kind enough to invite us to the mission home for dinner with the missionaries that were just arriving.

Wedding Bells

2011-11-18T20:58:00.001-08:00

On November 3th we had an email that said our phone bill was not being paid because of our credit card. We canceled the card when we thought it was stolen. We were worried and upset thinking all of our utilities were not being paid. The stress was so high. I said to David that the adversary was working hard on us and there was a miracle just waiting to happen. We knelt and prayed to know where we should go. When the prayer was finished we both had the same name come to mind, Pait Henshaw. We went to her apartment and knocked on her door. Pait came to the door in tears with pain in her eyes. I reached for her and asked, "What can we do for you." She told us that her wedding was scheduled for the next day and the judge had changed the time and now no one was able to be at the wedding. We asked if they had the license and when she said yes we told her we could find someone the perform the marriage. We quickly called the bishop who was just going into a movie with his wife and he said he would arrange his work schedule to be available. The next day the wedding went very well. I guess I can count that as helping with 22 wedding now. Pait asked how we knew to come to her home that night and we told her that it was the Lord and that he was aware of her and what she needed.

Elderberries

2011-11-18T20:48:00.001-08:00

We exercise every morning. There is a beautiful trail that goes along the St. John's River. On this trail there are huge Elderberry trees. I learned that it is illegal to cut down the trees or pick the fruit because there is an endangered beetle that uses Elderberries for food. I was thinking of my sister Esther when I saw this. She loves to harvest the berries and make syrup.

Richard Radmacher

2011-10-27T14:14:00.000-07:00

Five years ago we took a family trip to California and David wanted to visit part of his mission. So, we went to Visalia and found his old apartment and the church. Then we went to the King's Canyon to see the giant sequoia redwood trees. Sunday we came back to Visalia for church and David was hoping find anyone that he had known. At the end of the meetings David found me in the Relief Society room and said, "Do you remember the chocolate cake story?" And I said, "You are kidding." A man came up to David and said he had live in Visalia in1977 and he had just moved back. David asked him if he knew a Dick Radmacher and this man said, I am Richard Radmacher." He was a stake mission when David was on his first mission and Richard had driven the elders to many appointments. As he drove he would tell them stories. Now here is the cake story. Richard in his youth was in a rock-n-roll band and he grew marijuana. He was taking the missionary lessons and he was invited to a ward party. He made a delicious chocolate cake. Yes there was marijuana in the cake. He said it looked so good that he had a piece. That was so good he ate three more pieces. The next thing he remembers was lying on his back in a field and the moon and stars were spinning and he prayed. God, if you will help;me through this I will never touch the stuff again. He was true to his words.

October 2011 Apartment in Visalia

2011-10-27T13:55:00.000-07:00

We love the Apartment and all the help we received. It was all put together when we arrived. We had one day when we couldn't get into our driveway because the neighbor was being arrested. He was so embarrassed he apologized the next day.

October 10, 2011 Trip to Visalia

2011-10-27T13:40:00.000-07:00

While we were at the airport David heard someone say, "Elder Sheffer." It was an Elder Clayson from David's mission 35 years ago. He was going to Hong Kong that morning. He was surprised to see that David was again a missionary going to Fresno. We told Clayson that we had been trying to find President Harbertson to tell him that we were going back to Fresno and Clayson said,"I sat by him in Conference last week and I have his cell phone number. The President is in St. George at his winter home." Well with cell phone number in hand we stopped by Grandma and Grandpa Sheffer's and they call Uncle Dan and Aunt Kathy to see if we could spend the night at their home in St. George. We rushed home to finish our packing with Sarah's help and we couldn't find David's wallet. That didn't stop us. We fed Sarah Cafe Rio and headed down the road.

It was wonderful to see Dan and Kathy. We found David's wallet in Gaile's makeup bag that night. To bad we cancelled the debit card. We are still waiting for the replacement. The next morning we called President Harbertson and went to visit him. It was wonderful to see him and he told us that only three elders had his cell phone number, well four now since David has it, what a miracle, or tender mercy.

Here is President Robert Harbertson and David. The President has just turned eighty years old.

We also visited Tom Pillar. He and Bobbie live in an amazing subdivision in Santa Clara, next to St. George. They use to live in our home ward and Bobbie use to work with Robert Ludwig, Gaile's cousin. We called Robert to see if he had their address. He said he was just at their house two nights ago. He was able to give us wonderful directions. When David was the Elder's quorum president he asked Tom to bring his fancy sports car to an activity. It started to rain so David was sure Tom wouldn't come, but, he did. Tom will do anything to help someone.

We made it to Visalia about 10:00 pm and the elders came to our apartment with the keys. They were so excited to see us. I think it was because they helped to set up the apartment and they were hoping to use the washer and drier.

Merrill and Meg to the airport October 10, 2011

2011-10-21T21:19:00.000-07:00

We took Merrill and Meg to the airport by 6:00 am. They had thirteen bags and their two adorable boys. We were so glad we could help them. It was amazing how much they were able to take. We are so grateful that they made it safely to Japan.

Sarah's Temple Day October 8, 2011

2011-10-21T21:10:00.000-07:00

This is my Sarah Lynn after the temple. She is going to be an amazing missionary.

Football and temple October 8, 2011

2011-10-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

Saturday was an amazing day. Alan had a dream come true. Bert came down so we could all go with Sarah to the temple. In the morning Alan, Nicholas and Bert play football together. The team was the Utah Valley University club team. I loved seeing them play together.

All of the grandchildren came to watch. When the game was over we went to the Mount Timpanogos Temple. With tears of joy we were in the Celestial room with all of our children and their spouses. Grandma Duncan and Aunt Esther were with us also. This is what we call a pay day. What a choice blessing.

Randy and Holly October 7, 2011

2011-10-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

At the MTC one of the teachers for the senior missionaries was Jordan Hepworth. This is the son of one of David's best friends growing up. Daivid saw him and leaned over to me and said, "That misionary has to be one of Randy's sons. He looked just like him." Well, he was right. Jordan told us that Randy was coming up to Provo to see his new granddaughter and he would be here on Friday, the day we were getting out of the MTC. We went to see Randy and Holly as soon as we left the MTC. Their children, three of them live at Ymount.

Stravation Campout

2011-10-03T19:59:00.000-07:00

This is old news that we didn't publish. So now it goes out. What is a couple of years after all between friends.

We went to Sarvation Lake where we camped and went swimming with Merrill, Meg Kai and Kogi.

We are going to Hawaii On the 1st of July so we need to pactice snorkeling.
Grandpa Sheffer is taking Kai in the kayak. They have matching life jackets.

MTC

2011-10-03T19:57:00.000-07:00

Well, we're in the MTC! We have waited a long time for this experience. The first time for both of us to be at the MTC.

They treat senior missionaries WAY different than they do the young elders and sisters.
This picture is me with President Wright. He served with President Harbertson, in the Fresno Mission when I was serving 35 years ago. When I was transfered to the Oakland Mission he was transfered too. He then helped President Curtis. He now works in the MTC. In this photo I am wearing my 35 year old name tag. It was such a surprise to see this familiar face.

There are usually about 50-70 senior missionaries. This week 102 seniors reported with us. Half had to be housed at the Provo Marriot. We were in the half that was sent out. Here is Gaile in our room doing some diligent studying.

This is a classic photo. This is where most of our sons had their picture taken with their mother when they were dropped off at the MTC.

Here we are at the famous MTC map of the World. We are pointing to Fresno California.

2011-10-03T19:24:00.000-07:00

On September 25th we had our Farewell. As we were sitting on the stand just before the meeting started we were wondering if anyone would come. When the sacrament was finished the doors opened and the chapel and cultural hall were filled to over flowing. It was so wonderful to see so many friends and family. David had school teaching friend and so did I. When the meeting ended many came over to have a brunch. Megumi and Karen, a friend .worked so hard to keep the serving tables replenished. Thank you for coming and supporting us.

Mission Call

2011-09-05T11:17:00.000-07:00

I think we are ready to submit. June 30, 2011

Although we are a little concerned, Gaile submits our papers

David finalizes everything, and we are still smiling.

Preparing to open the call. Thursday September 1, 2011

Response immediately after opening the call.

Thursday the mission call came. We submitted the papers on June 30th. We had to wait two and a half weeks for the stake president to get back into the country for our interview and then the papers were sent to Salt Lake City for the mission call. Then seven and a half more weeks to get the call. We are to report to the Missionary Training Center on October 3rd. There is so much to do and now four weeks seems like a very short time.

2011-06-07T13:44:00.000-07:00

David wanted a piece of the action so he asked to be part of the security for the theater. I think he fits in very well.

2011-06-07T13:36:00.000-07:00

I have waited 20 years to go to Les Miserables and on Saturday May 28th I made it. David and I were able to go to the Capital Theater in Salt Lake to see the production. The music was wonderful the story timeless but parts of the production were to lewd for my tastes. As David put it,"I can take that off my bucket list.

2011-04-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

2011-04-15T07:56:00.000-07:00

2011-04-15T07:55:00.000-07:00

Burrito

2011-04-15T07:48:00.000-07:00

We had a nice visit from Bert and Julie and Merrill and Meg. Taffy loves to drag Grandpa's blanket down the stairs and wrap up in it. Well, Merrill decided to go one step further and wrap the kids up as burritos. In the end Kai was wrapped up with Merrill. It was hilarious. We love to have the visits. This is the last day off for spring break. Time is going by so fast.

Cute Couple

2011-04-09T14:48:00.000-07:00

All Most Done

2011-04-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

We only have six to seven weeks left of teaching. Yes, David is retiring and I have told my principal that I will not be teaching next year. We are planning on going on a mission. Julie says that I need to learn how to do a blog so we can blog about our mission for family and friends. Here is a first lesson.

Lakeview Temlpe

2009-06-28T15:13:00.001-07:00

This is the temple the Primary children built for an activity. They learned why we build temples and how our families can be together forever. June 19, 2009

Kai's Blessing Day

2009-02-15T19:15:00.000-08:00

Afton and Kai playing

Afton, Addison, and Kai dressed for Sunday. February 15, 2009

Aftons Baby Blessing

2009-02-01T15:23:00.001-08:00

Great Grandma Sheffer holding Kai, I am holding Addy and Kai, Missy and Jon and Kim and Addy.

Aftons Baby Blessing

2009-02-01T15:14:00.000-08:00

The Thalmans, Julie and Afton, David and I, Nick and Amber, Bert and Afton