Where Did Summer Go?

Jerry is the proud owner of Shauntel, the Ukelele.
Now he just has to find time to learn to play it.

Only in Santa Cruz!

Luncheon for the sisters at the Mission Home.

The Senior Sisters in the California San Jose
Mission.

The appetites of 12 Elders requires alot of ribs

& barbeque chicken.

Nice job Elder Elmer! I think they liked it.

Now really, who wouldn't want to be apart of this.

Elder Huls & Elder Baker (Our Zone Leaders)
Grammie, you should hear Elder Baker on the

piano.David Trevino baptizes his sister, Danelle.

We are teaching the after baptism lessons

to her. She's wonderful!

The Gilroy Garlic Festival. I wonder if Blue Bell

ever thought of this flavor.

Elder & Sis House, and Elder & Sister Norris

went with us.

The last stop on the way out is the, you guessed it,

it's the hand sanitizer and mouthwash booth,

sponsored by Target.

I didn't realize it until now, height just doesn't run

through the Elmer gene pool.

Our dear friend, Lamar Baldwin.

Such a treat for us. We got to see Leah (not Wingo

anymore) & Hector. A great couple!

Sweet Sister Quinn, passed away on Aug 20th.

We will miss reading scriptures with her.

Jerry spoke at her Memorial Service.

We hope this blog finds everyone doing well, unlike us. We have both had the flu, and are finding it hard to kick. It is not fun being sick on your mission. We've just got too much to do. We did manage to teach our new investigator, and also a young 11 year old we're trying to get ready for baptism. Such wonderful experiences! We teach, and are in so many elderly homes, and hospitals, that we have to be so careful. We have just tried to lay low a little bit this week. However, Sis. Quinn's memorial was Saturday, and we had to be there. Jerry was to speak. He was so sick. We were in need of the Lord's help, and that is exactly what he did. He carried Jerry right through to do what was required. Within 30 min of the end of the service, he was home in bed. He was truly blessed!

We continue to be humbled to be apart of this great work. I am so grateful for the gospel in my life, and the blessing of eternal family. We see lots of broken people and families. We have a responsibility to help others know that through our Savior Jesus Christ, we can be healed. It is such an important message to help them find happiness here, and in the life to come.

My companion is amazing! He ordained Bro. Moser to be a Priest last Sunday. Next Sunday, they will be blessing the sacrament together. How great shall be your joy!!

Well, that's about it for now. Take care of each other. We love you each so much! Thank you to my family for not yelling my name out during Uncle Joe's group's, The Snoring Song.

It was so great to see Peg and Malerie, a couple weeks ago.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Leigh and family with her upcoming surgery.

Happy Brithday 7 years old

HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY, BRYNN!

WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!

Love, Papa J & Grandma T

Catchin Up

Elder Grigg & Elder Parker loving the Double

Double at In-N-Out.

This is the favorite stop on the way home from the

temple, for all missionaries.

The Oakland Temple on the day when the whole

mission got to go.

Jerry and I were able to teach Temple Prep.

classes to Sis. Fulton. We were very happy

to be able to be with her on that special day.

This is the concrete ship off Seacliff Beach, were we

sometimes go on P-Day to walk.

Claro gets baptized.

We love this sign. Especially when there

is literally no parking places at the hospital.
(Clergy Parking Only)

Sis Irma Emory goes to the temple. She has been

a member about 3 years. She is from Mexico, and

wonderful.

The Santa Cruz Zone. We love these missionaries!

David Levy gets baptized. A great day!


Senior Couple FHE. We sang oldies around the piano.
Jerry and I actually sang a duet that night, a classic
called Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey.




Flowers from Guitarman down at the Soup
Kitchen. We taught him the song, There Is Sunshine
In My Soul.

Sis. Roberta Manarello, someday we'll get her back

to church. We love our visits with her.

Well, we got a little behind on our blog. Things have stayed pretty busy around here, but I now know how to add pictures to the blog, so I'll try to keep up. We are doing fine! We love being in the service of the Lord. I wish there was a way we could really describe to you the wonderful miracles, big and small, that we see everyday. We (mostly me) have a few moments of discouragement from time to time, but the Lord in His love, provides me with a sweet thought from my companion, an expression of love from someone less active, or the spirit reminding me that the work I am doing is vital to God's children. The Lord is in this great work! It is His work, and I am grateful to be apart of it. We press forward with a steadfastness in Christ. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and I am so grateful for my testimony of it.

The time we spend with our Elder's, provides us with laughter, love, and strength. The other day in District Meeting, we had to give a prepared talk on an assigned topic. It falls under practise and application. After you give your talk, the district is suppose to critique you and give you suggestions for improvement. We also say what we like about the talk. So far, even though I could use some improvement suggestions, nobody feels very comfortable critiquing Sis. Elmer. However, one day when Elder Guthrie said what suggestions could we offer Sis. Elmer, there was silence, then our Elder Swallow said I've got one, she might try doing a little something different with her hair next time. We all laughed, I accepted his suggestion, but told him that was more of a difficult thing to do, than any suggestion he might have given me about my talk.

Well, it is hard to believe that EFR is over. We loved being able to see you all, and hear Uncle Jeff and Peggy's report from their mission. Seriously, could our family get any better? We love each of you so much, and are indebted to you for your love and examples. We loved the number idea on the shirts. Good work to Joe and Steph, and all those that contributed! We will see you all at the next reunion.

Congratulations to Casey and Amanda on???????? We didn't know the outcome of the name voting.

Welcome back to the US, Zach, Steff, and family.

Did we hear that Dan Elmer won the shopping spree? Awesome!

Thanks for all your fun blogs. We try to read them on P-Days, but just don't have time to respond to all of them.

Congratulations on John and Donna expecting another grandbaby.

That's all for now. We love you, and are grateful for your prayers in our behalf and of those we serve. Take care of each other.

We know school starts pretty soon. Have a great year! Dad keep swimming! Grammie keep walking. Love, Jerry & Tanya

How Great Shall Be Your Joy

Dean Moser was Baptized on the 4th of July

Dean is 80 years young


Dean and His wife LuLu

Dean, Lulu, and some of their family that attended

What a wonderful 4th. We celebrated the birth of our country and the rebirth of Dean Moser.

We met Dean and LuLu our first day out. It was one of those miracles. There are not words that explain all that has happened to prepare him for our invitation to hear the gospel one more time. Dean and LuLu have welcomed missionaries into their home for 54 years. She thinks probably more than a 100. Each had a part in preparing him. If they only knew that he was finally baptized. People came from all over the area. The Chapel was filled for his baptism. Member friends from Fresno and San Jose drove to Santa Cruz to attend. It was wonderful. The best part for me was to watch as each of his children and grandchildren (two great grandchildren) came up and embraced and wept with him after the baptismal service was over.

Dean has supported his wife in her activity over these many years. They have put three sons on missions and have a number of grandsons who have served. One is now serving in Chili. The entire family was so excited to see their beloved father and grandfather come into the Kingdom.
They shared with me how long they have prayed and waited and waited and prayed that someday he would soften and join. Some had almost given up. Even Lulu was surpized when he made the committment to be baptized. Most said they would not believe it until the saw it. Perhaps thats why there were so many there. Deans family came from all over the country to be here. He was baptized by his youngest son Brett and Comfirmed on sunday by his eldest son Victor. When Dean came up out of the water he simply said in a loud voice WOW!

My heart has been so full these past months as we have served and taught Dean. It has been a humbling experience to witness the hand of Lord as he touches the lives of his children. I am so greatful for the spirit of the Holy Ghost which is ever present in this work. I have felt its promptings as we teach and extend invitations and committments. I know that people are prepared to hear the gospel message, that we can never give up on those that have lost their way or those who seem to be hardened. Deans conversion is a witness of the love that God has for all his children. In the words of one of Deans daughters. "Your mission has been a success, you helped my Dad come into the Church"

Now we need to get him ready to receive the Preisthood and get to the temple a year from now. We appreciate all of you who have prayed and fasted for us and for Dean. It made all the difference.

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY GRACIE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A WONDERFUL GRANDAUGHTER

FROM YOUR MISSIONARY GRANDPARENTS

WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!

IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS

Rafael, Wife Betsy, and Rebecca

Baptized May 16, 2009

All the Missionaries that worked with Rafael

Kaleb and Ion Martin, Elders Quorum Presidents
Family

Senior Missionaries in our Mission
Lt to Rt The Balls, The Houses, Sister Elmer
The Hansens
Everyone on the Beach thought we were from outer space.
On the beach in our suits and dresses.

Tanya Hugs a Redwood On P-Day
Very Cool Place

Elders Aubry and Provolt

Two Super Missionaries

Elder Aubry served for 18 months as a Signing Missionary for the deaf

Sister Anderson and a Picture of her granddaughter
We are bring Sister Anderson back after many years

Elder Cheesman gets transfered. We love him

he is a terrific missionary

Sister Elmer and sweet Sister Hopkins

Sister Hopkins is 90 yrs old and is so wonderful

Helping Bro Hopkins he is 92

Just minutes after this, I turned around and he

was up on the roof with me. Reminds me of Papa.

The Welch's a wonderful family in our ward.

Zone on P day in Monterey. We visited the Aquarium

and then Bubba Gumps

Multi Zone Conference in the Mountains a real treat for all of

the Missionaries.

Mothers Day Flowers from Matt, Karen and the Girls

BEAUTIFUL

Tanya's trade mark Smiley Face

We have had a wonderful and busy month. We feel so blessed to be here and to be apart of this

work. We were blessed to participate in Rafael's Baptism. Every baptism is evidence of Gods love for his children. In this case the entire family has been blessed. Rafael had his whole family at the baptism all non members. It was fabulous. They are so happy. We are looking forward to going to the temple with this little family next year.

We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve. We are learning everyday. The Spirit of the Lord is in every aspect of the work. We get to see it from a unique perspective. Just think of the long term blessings the fullness of the gospel brings into the lives of Rafael and his family. Generations are effected both future and past.

We stay very busy. We look at each other at the end of the day and are so tired, but it is the good kind of tired.

One of the things I love the most is the opportunity to study. Preach My Gospel is a wonderful, inspired book. We work hard to be able to present the lessons simply and with power and authority. We had the opportunity recently to meet with one of the four Brothers that were called to write Preach My Gospel by the Missionary Executive Committee. He shared with us the details of how it was put together. I cannot do it justice here but will in a later email.

We love you all and miss you so much. But the work fills the lonely spots in our days and pictures fill our hearts when we get home sick.

Love,

Jerry and Tanya

Oh, Dean has a baptismal date for July 4th, Fitting I think the day we celebrate the brith of our country we can celebrate Deans rebirth. Pray for him and us.

Life Is Gooood In The Mission

Not everyone can get roses from their companion.

Believe it or not, Elder Elmer found a spot for some tomato plants.

My exciting purchase from the Flea Market.

Crystal Richardson, Chloe and Gisell.


Before service at the Mosers.


After service at the Mosers.




Elder Parker is anticipating a win from Elder Elmer, finally.

Elder Sparks, is that a brace on your ankle? How did you do that?

Elder Schuetzler (DL) on right and Elder Vanderhoef .

Elder Swallow and I were greeting people who came to the Emergency Preparedness Fair.

Sister Palmer, Driscoll, and O'Shaunessy had the canning area under control.

Lunch for the Elders at the fair, pizza.

A little Basketball after the clean-up was done.

Hello from Santa Cruz. Hope everyone is doing well. Things are good here in the mission. We have officially been on our mission for 2 months. We have had our second Zone Conference, and interviews with President are this Friday. It is indeed going fast.

President Jackson invited us to our first Transfer Meeting to see what is was all about. Don't worry my companion stayed the same. He reminded the Elders that we were the only missionaries that had permission to walk on the beach. Our Zone is always saying they can't wait to be a senior couple, so they can get all these cool priviledges. We actually lost a few of our elders to other areas at that transfer. I didn't like that. We've become attached. We love the missionaries, having fun with them and learning from them.

We are presently working with less active families. We are teaching a few of them the lessons, so they can remember the spirit they felt as the doctrines were taught to them so many years ago. They are good people. Sis. Richardson is coming back, and asked if we could help her with teaching the gospel in her home. She has been away for so long that she feels like there are gaps in her understanding. We are also teaching 2 sisters the Temple Prep lessons. We hope that we will be able to go with them to the temple when they go. One sister is anxious to be sealed to her husband, who died in a car accident 9 years ago. The other sister was baptized about a year and a half ago.

I want to say thanks to Steph for her Potato Swiss Soup in the family cookbook. We took it to a brother who is less active, and his wife said he loved it. We're hoping it opened his door a little wider for us.

We love our walks in the morning. The flowers in this place are amazing! Half the time when your walking, your also sniffing. They have dog parks here, which I had never seen before, because everyone here has a dog, if not multiple dogs. The really bad thing about this area is parking. It can definatley be a distraction to the work. You have to have permits to park on the street. I guess the good thing is, that when you finally find a place to park, you can street contact ,while walking a mile to the house that you wanted to go to.

We love being missionaries! I have to say, that we have had some disappointments lately, but we press forward knowing how important our message to the world is. We continue to study, and work hard, so we are worthy of the Lord's direction. I've been reading in the Book of Mormon lately about Alma and Amulek as they tried to teach the people of Ammonihah. What incredible missionaries they were! I love the story of Zeezroms's conversion. I love the care and respect they gave to one another. I have a great companion, too! He truly loves the work.

We love each of you so much! Thank you for your prayers. They mean so much. Take care! Congratulations to Joe and Steph for having their first college graduate. Way to go Annie! Happy Birthday to Toni!

Sorry, if I repeat something. I just can't remember everything we've told everyone.