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.

THE Easter Message

Let us give thanks in humble prayer
For God gave us his son.
That we may live and be like him
The battle he has won

His life he gave the ransom paid
He beckons us to come
I Stand amazed and humble, still
His work it must be done.


We love you all so much, the work of the Lord moves forward. We love this clip. Truly, this is an Apostle of the Lord

Love Dad

"Its ya birthday"

We went to the Red Woods on P-Day

Elders are wonderful! It sure was good

to be in our Jeans!!!!

This is a beautiful tree we pass about 10 times

a day. It's at at a buzy intersection so Tanya

snapped this as we flew by.

Disrict Development Meeting

most of the Zone was here for this one

My birthday door! I just love all the

cards and especially the ones drawn by little hands

The only bad thing about my brithday is that it

is followed by TAX day. What a bummer!

We have had a wonderful two weeks since our last post. My birthday was terrific. It started out with four Elders on our door step singing early in the the morning. I feel great for a 58 yr old dude. We celebrated with Elder and Sister House who drove over the mountain from San Jose to go to diner with us. We knew the Houses in the Phillippines. They are really fun.

We are starting to really get into the mission. I can get around really well in the city now. It is really not that big so we see alot of it over and over again. We have met many wonderful people. Tanya is the best companion ever. She has really stepped up. She has had a number of conversations with our neighbor and invited her to learn more about the church. She accepted and we plan to teach her and her family soon. We are teaching two less active families the lessons and one recently activated. We are really growing as we prepare and teach.

Recently we are having alot more success finding investigators. We went to a referal with a member today and met a family of four, along with a boy friend of one of the girls. We have scheduled a lesson with all of them in the members home week after next. We have located two other potential investigators who are familiar with the church and we hope to invite soon to hear more. Most of our time is spent finding those that are lost. We have many who are in the ward but less active. Some do not want to be found. I love to see the surprise on their face when they see us at the door. Its like oh no they found me!! All are surprized some are very kind but not interested. We do not let them off easy we invite as many ways as we can think of to come to church to relearn or to let us serve them. It is great. We have only had a few say we could not come back. We consider that progress.

Especially thanks to Gracie, Livie, Ella, Jack, Matt, & Nathan for the beautiful birthday and easter cards.

We appreciate and feel all your prayers. This is a blessed work. Thanks Brad and Ash for taking care of things there.

Love you all

Papa J and Grandma T

Hard At Work

President and Sister Jackson

(they are FABULOUS!)

Out the door ( we do miss our jeans).

I I need a Pensioniesta!!

Preach My Gospel, don't go to sleep without it!!

Elder and Sister House playing the psaltry.

Well, we've been here in Santa Cruz for 3 weeks. I think we are starting to feel like we are settling in. Jerry is getting around like he has lived here for years. I haven't driven for a month or written a check at Target. Boy, my life has really changed. Anyway, we love being missionaries! We have met some wonderful people. Most of our time is spent getting to know the members of the ward, and trying to help less-actives. We are teaching a man who is 63 years old, and has not been to church since he was 17. He has some very serious health issues, but is interested in understanding a little more about the church he belongs to. It will be hard to get him to church, so we're working on bringing the church to him. He is a very kind man, and seems to be receptive to learning the messages we are trying to share.

Another thing we love is our Elders! We have the priviledge of working with some fine young men. I am just in awe of them. Our Zone Leaders are also in our ward (Capitola Ward), so we work and coordinate with them alot. I can't even tell you how amazing Zone Conference was, and how much we love our Pres. and Sis. Jackson. It's a wonderful work we are engaged in, and we are learning everyday. I have to admit that after being asked to speak in Sacrament two minutes before it started, being asked to give two talks in two weeks, and singing acapella with 6 sweet soprano singing sisters in front of 60 or so people (my companion almost lost it on that one), I was almost ready to put my 2 week notice in. I guess with the Lord and Jerry as my companions, I'll hang in here a little longer. No complaints about my comp. He is a joy to work with, and a wonderful missionary. I hope Pres. doesn't change us anytime soon.

We love serving in the community! We help at the Soup Kitchen on Tues. They serve about 200 to 250 homeless everyday from 12 - 1. We have met some wonderful volunteers. Last week we were the greeters. There are alot of homeless and jobless people in Santa Cruz. It's a very hard thing. We also help at Grey Bears on Fri. mornings. This organization bags excess food and produce, and then loads cars and trucks to take the bags to shut ins, needy, etc. It's fun to do! Our Relief Society Pres. is there on Fridays too, and she has been great to work with. I feel like I've known her for years.

One of the Senior Missionary couples from the office came over from San Jose to go to dinner with us for Jerry's birthday. They play an instument called the psaltry. Elder House (we knew them in the Philippines) actually makes them. Sis House is a musician (fiddles), and she does the music. They are great people! Sis Mcnally (RS Pres) invited 6 0r 8 people over for a little fireside. The Houses played, and shared a thought. It was nice. The best part was when Sis Mcnally brought out her ukelele. I said do you know I'll Be Down To Get You? She did, so every one joined in and we sang oldies for the next 30 minutes. Dad, wish you could have there. One of Sis. Mcnally's non member friends was there, and she seemed to enjoy herself. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Tomorrow is PDay. YEA! I have got to clean my floors. We try to keep a schedule like the young elders, but sometimes its hard. We weren't having anytime to fix dinner, so we have to plan in our daily planner to stop and fix dinner. We do have invitations from time to time. Tomorrow we are going with our Zone to see the Redwoods. We're going to have hamburgers, and we made Potato Salad, and chocolate cake for Jer's birthday. Should be fun, and we can were jeans!!!!! Some of the Elders will be on bikes, and the rest will be walking.

I have started reading the Book of Mormon again. I have my own personal study early in the morning, just before Jerry gets up at 6:30. I am reminded again of the committment that Nephi had to the Lord. He was indeed steadfast and immovable in his faith. What a wonderful example he is. I am grateful for this book in my life. Just like the Prophet Joseph said, it does bring me closer to my Father in Heaven and Savior when I study and ponder its truths. What a wondrous message we have to share, and speaking of sharing messages, it's late and I have work to do, so I'll close for now. Thank you everyone for all your love and support.