Matching Ties

September 17, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

            We have had an amazing week. First we were able to attend the temple as a Zone on Tuesday. To prepare for this we had a mini Zone meeting. We were asked to write down 2 questions that we have about missionary work in our area, because we had Elder Christoffel Golden Jr. of the First Quorum of the Seventy coming to our Tri Zone Meeting. He is from South Africa. We accounted with the Zone and all of the missionaries earned a tie. We wore the ties to the temple and to Zone Conference. Steve Winn from Mr. Mac sent us the matching ties and sent two extras. We gave the extras to President and Sister Gelwix to wear if they wanted to. Sister Gelwix gave hers to Elder Golden and the President asked the whole Visalia Zone to pose for a picture with Elder Golden. What a spiritual feast and fabulous picture we have from that day.

            We also had an early morning baptism for Susan Wood. We met her last November and visited her regularly. She found she had cancer and had surgery. She has worked through many difficult things. She has been working on family names for some time and at this time she has over nine thousand names. The spirit world was cheering when she was baptized. It was so sweet.

            Sister Sheffer helped decorate a cake for a wedding and we attend a ward activity on Family Home Evening. It was a circus theme with SPLAT, the parts of a good FHE, Sing, Pray, Lesson, Activity, Treat. It was so creative.

            We have transfers and several missionaries or leaving and brand new missionaries are being trained. The gospel is true and the spirit is so important.

"Let on one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile." –Mother Teresa

                                                                        God Bless,  Elder and Sister Sheffer  

           

 

 

 

Fiesta

September 10, 2012

Dear family and friends,

            We are working hard to stay focused. It is amazing how you change and grow with life experiences. There is a new three part series on Light in the Mormon Messages. David A. Bednar speaks about light on a foggy day when you can only see a few steps ahead and that is how many of us receive revelation. We are only given a few steps at a time and we need to step in Faith.

            Each day we plan and pray and step out in Faith relying on the Lord. With this process the miracles are easy to see because we are watching for them.

            We were able to take a new convert to the temple to do baptisms for the death with the youth. It was an amazing experience to share that with her. She could feel the spirit as she walked up the steps. What a tremendous blessing to have a temple nearby. She was saying, "I had no idea this was here in Fresno." That is part of what we as members and missionaries need to do, let people know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored.

            We had some great activities this week also. The Zone did well with baptisms this past month so we had an ice cream sundae celebration and played water balloon volleyball. It is great to get together with the Zone. We also have what we call lead indicators. These are goals that we set that we have total control over. These goals lead to accomplishing our goals on the mission report forms. Since working on these the numbers are getting better. We track the lead indicators and report on them to the Zone weekly. This month we called Elder Sheffer's old boss in Orem and asked if we could buy some cheap ties, that look exactly alike,  to give to the Zone for making their goals. He sent us 22 very nice ties, and one longer tie to fit around Elder Sheffer's thick neck. But, he wouldn't let us pay for them. What an amazing blessing!

           

            We also had a Mexican Independence Day Party. We were so happy to have three investigators there and the food was fabulous. We know we will miss the Mexican food when we are back in Utah. The guacamole is the best.   

            We have transfers this weekend and that means we will be going to a new ward, the 4^th ward. We have been told that they are trying to call a senior couple for each ward to work with the full time missionaries. They hope that we can train them to do work similar to what we do. That will be a new adventure.

            We are so grateful for our blessing and the Lord's constant care for us and our family. We all face difficulties in this life and great blessings. We pray for you all.  God bless

                                                            Elder and Sister Sheffer

Baptism Before Wedding

September 2, 2012

 

Dear Family and Friends,

                Usually we have a wedding before the baptism. This week we had the baptism of Russell Bennett. Then we had the wedding of Paula Rice, who was our baptism two weeks ago. Yes, Sister Sheffer helped in the preparations, but not near as much as she offered too. The wedding was two hours north in Turlock. Paula and Ben plan to be sealed in a year. They had little wieners wrapped in bacon and cooked in a wonderful sauce. Dean would have loved it. Since he wasn't there Elder Sheffer had to eat his share too. Paula's son received his Eagle on Sunday, and we went to that for a half an hour before continuing to other meetings.

                The first week in the Exeter Ward Sister Sheffer was in Relief Society when the president asked her to introduce herself. She told the sisters about our mission and then said, "We have been asked by the Stake President to "cover the Stake." So every six weeks we pray and ask the Lord where should we transfer ourselves and the answer was Exeter Ward."  We learned later the Jennifer Foster was touched by the spirit and felt that we were here at this time to teacher her father. Jennifer was a sixteen year old when she joined the church some twenty years ago and she has always had the dream of being sealed to her parents. She decided to feed the missionaries and invite her parents also. Jennifer's mother Naomi was converted about 4 years ago and joined Jennifer and family in prayers for Russell. The dinner was wonderful and we had a family lesson.  We asked the next week how things went and Naomi said Russell liked how the lesson focused on the whole family and not just him.

                Weeks later they were planning their vacation and Naomi said she wanted to go to Salt Lake City and visit temple square and welfare square. Then she said, "I feel dumb asking you to do that because you don't believe in the things I do." And he said, "Who says I don't." We had a phone call asking if we would come to their home and have dinner and teach the first lesson. Jennifer and her husband would also be there. The lesson went well and just before closing we asked if he would prepare for baptism. He chose September first and Jennifer insisted it be at ten o'clock in the morning because she works as a nurse and would need to work later that day. Naomi added, "You can take your birthday vacation day on Sunday the second of September so you can be confirmed." Well the four weeks past with much anxiety on the part of daughter and wife, but Russell was always solid. What a glorious Saturday and Sunday. We have been invited back for the sealing in one year. We have been made part of the family by special invitation of the granddaughter.  What an amazing experience.

                Because of our trip to Utah we had failed to set up some of the appointments. It was wonderful when some of the people we are teaching called us up and asked when we could meet. That was way out of the ordinary.

                Elder Sheffer got his second gold crown. We hope that is the last time we will see the dentist for this mission. The dentist had donated so much of his time and resources that we are greatly in his debt.

                                                                                God Bless You All  Elder and Sister Sheffer

Russell Bennett and family

Basket of Bounty

Matt Foster, Russell Bennett and Sheffers

Paula Rice and Ben Kern Wedding

Locee Rice Eagle Court of Honor

Christ Heals

Christ Heals

August 26, 2012

Moroni 8:10-12

teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children.

 11 And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.

 12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world;

 

Dear Family & Friends,

            This week seemed surreal. We started off like any other, full of hard work and excitement for the work ahead. We had the week booked with great lessons. We had three investigators we were getting ready for baptism. We were awaiting the call for the new little one to be here, Arden Gaile. Then the call came. Arden's stay here was to be a short one. The emotional rollercoaster started. How can we best serve our beloved children? Arden was assured exaltation. That made it easier for those left behind. Easier, but never easy. We had to decide if the Lord would bless our family more if we stayed on the job, or should we go and be there during this traumatic crisis. We made it a subject of sincere prayer. Tuesday we wondered what would happen. We worked hard, but we wondered. That night we prayed for help with the decision. During the night we felt the answer would be in a conference talk. We searched the talks. "We Are All Enlisted" October 2011 Conference by Jeffery R. Holland came to the forefront. It said, "permission is given for couples, at their own expense, to return home briefly for critical family events." Later in the article it said, "Those little darlings will be just fine, and I promise you will do things for them in the service of the Lord that, worlds without end, you could never do if you stayed home to hover over them. What greater gift could grandparents give their posterity than to say by deed as well as word, "In this family we serve missions!" So we knew the grandkids would be blessed by the Lord, and he would approve of us going home. We decided not to spend critical time driving and flew out of Long Beach. We left our car with Gaile's Sister Stephanie. We flew in Thursday and spent the night at Bert's house. Then we hiked Timp Cave Friday morning early, which is a family tradition after a baby is born, and tried to make some visits. We cleaned up at Gma Duncan's. Bert & Eldeane give us their truck to use. Then off to the viewing . The coffin was so small. Many came and many tears were shed.

            We slept at Gma Sheffer's house and came back up for the graveside service, which was only immediate family. Elder Sheffer was to give the opening prayer. We had a very hard time finding the place, so we had to start late. Elder Sheffer prayed. Then, as the bishop and the mortuary director were starting announcements a humming bird came flying over. He hovered between the two men longer and closer than I have ever seen before. This made us think of a lady who we are teaching that had her husband die and was comforted by a humming bird coming up to her closely and lingering by her. Testimonies were shared and Bert dedicated his sweet daughter's grave. We went over to his house after and had a huge dinner the RS provided. We played football and enjoyed time together.

            Then we went to Gma Sheffer's and they dropped us at the airport. Our flight was delayed. Stephanie picked us up and got us dinner, then we drove north. We spent a long time on a five mile stretch of Highway Five just north of LA. We saw a exit sign that said, "David Road." and we were so tired we took it and slept for a while. When the Sheriff came and woke us up we drove on back. We got home Sunday just before 2:00 A.M. We had meetings Sunday from seven to four. Then dinner and member visits. We are soooo tired.
            Well, we are back to normal. Are we ever back? Are we ever "normal" again. Every event in this life shapes our future. There is one more little watchman (Guardian Angel) in Heaven watching over our family, and things will never be the same.

                                                With all our Love,

Sister and Elder Sheffer (Mom & Dad, Grandma & Grandpa, Sister & Brother, Daughter and Son, and more)

 

Isaiah 52:7-8

 7 ¶How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!

 8 Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.

 

Pictures:

Is it we are just missionary minded or did someone put a sticker of the SLC Temple on the back of that truck?

The coach given to the family. The wheels roll really well.

Remembering

Grandma Gaile makes a pink bow.

Granddaughters enjoying each other.

¼ the way to the cave.

On the way

Notice Elder Sheffer is still on the trail. One foot in Zion one in Babylon.

Bert and Taffy

Alan & Kim's Family

Grandma with Lizzy

Nick, Amber, Malleya

Bert & Gaile

David and sons minus Merrill

Gaile & Julie

A few football game pictures before running to the airport.

David road south of Bakersfield after a early morning Sunday nap on the way back.

Restored to you again

August 20, 2012

"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, 3^rd Ward and 2^nd 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

Gold Digging in California