LDS ELDER SHED

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Modesto mission formed

In September, Modesto became California's 20th church Mission, according to the Modesto Bee.
Modesto was carved from the Sacramento Mission, created in1942, and the Fresno Mission, created in 1975.
Previously, missionaries from Fresno (or Sacramento) covered the Modesto area, including Shed elders assigned to Modesto at some point in their two-year missions.

(Update: The Modesto Mission lasted three years. It was ‘realigned’ 2Feb2018.)

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Spring spruce up

flowers first. then veggies!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Elder Cook

Elder Cook's farewell testimony meeting was Oct 30, 2012 at Fresno west stake center.

Above, Sister Ashby from Van Ness Ward wishes him well.

Cook will be going home to Eagle Mountain, UT for a few days.

He plans to return to Fresno in a couple of weeks.

with President Cleveland

last hug from Cleveland

Elder Cook's first area in Fresno was Van Ness ward where, from Nov 18-Dec 29, 2010, he lived in the shed with Elder Burstall.

They were the fourth companionship in the shed.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Elder Dyreng

Farewell testimony meeting on Aug 7, 2012

Elder Dyreng was the eighth shed companionship with Elder Carlson,
and lived there May 4-Jul 21, 2011.

On June 17, 2 former shedlings Elder Dyreng (l) and Elder Cook (c) visited the shedlord and showed the shed to trainee Elder White.

Better-looking companions

Post mission . . .
ldseldershed companions from summer 2010 have moved on.

They've discovered even more happiness - - and far prettier eternal companions.

Dec 30, 2011

Jun 9, 2012

Elder Carlson

Farewell testimony meeting on Apr 3, 2012

Elder Carlson was the seventh companionship in the shed,
and lived there from Mar 23-Jul 24, 2011 (with Elders Moreno & Dyreng).

Beverly Snow says goodbye.
Sister Snow and her spouse were called in Sept to serve a mission
for the second time in the California Fresno Mission.

Carlson returned to his home in the Chicago area where he was a parkour athlete prior to his mission. He is attending school and is engaged to be married.

What's a shed without missionaries?

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Studio-at-Dovewood/194533417250904

During off-season, it becomes The Studio at Dovewood

Deep in the heart of the Fresno county suburban sprawl,
lies an unassuming studio attached to...

..a 10x15 foot room, with attached bathroom.
Air conditioning..personal parking lot.. incredibly fertile cornfield..
swimming pool, and storage/exercise cube with more hard carpet
than you can roll a wet cat on..

Whether you're a Fresno Zone leader, hardworking handyman, or
between legs of your world tour..the Studio is the perfect place for you
to roll around in a slank..

It just might be the Best Two Years of your life!

[Copy by Callburst]

Outside the shed

Exercise cube and ironing-shirts space is behind patio windows, photographed Sep 15

Shed territory, photographed on Feb 28

10 minutes away!
Photographed on May 18

Fertile soil next to the shed

Plentiful healthy snacking, picked Jun 21

May 19

Jun 27

Jun 2

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Year's end at ldseldershed

Missionary Christmas Tree!

FedExd on 10Dec08 to Elder Gottfredson, an LDS missionary serving Van Ness Ward, living at the pre-shed apartment address (5285 N San Pablo #102 Frs CA 93704). It was sent from the Korndoerfer family, Racine WI.

The 3' Aspen Spruce 'Trim Merry' Christmas tree with 50 clear lights
is still giving joy 3 years later.

There are lots of fun holiday crafts and decorations about the place!

Bouncing, singing Snowman! Santa's Marching Band!
One of these musical items reportedly healed the souls
of at least one ldseldershed companionship.
True story.

Farewell to Elder from second shed companionship

Josh hugs Elder Flournoy at his farewell Nov 29.
Elder Flournoy served in Van Ness ward from Jul 14-Sep 25 last year
& was the 2nd companionship in the shed.

Thanksgiving 2011

Thank-you note from Elder Burstall and Elder Cook after Thanksgiving dinner 2010 at Josh & Katie's.
Note is still on their refrigerator one year later.

Mormon.org profiles help missionary teaching

(Post-it left on shedlord's laptop Sep 26. Also on Oct 6 & 12)

"Thank you for letting us use your computer.
you're the best, bro D!

-The Elders"

(Casper & Constantino)

Shedknight goes home! 2 missionary farewells

Oct 16
Elder Tua'itanu and Elder Casper

Tua'itanu's second shed companion was Elder Dyreng (r). Dyreng caught up with Bro D on Oct 1 at the Peach building during General Conference priesthood session.

On Oct 14. Elders Casper (l) and Constantino used the laptop one last time at Bro D's to look up new Mormon.org profiles. Casper's farewell was two days later.

Elder Constantino transferred into Van Ness Ward on Sep 7 and was still serving there at year's end.

Elder Casper (r) with an exchange companion for the day.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Finally a dip in the pool!

Former shed tenant Christian Burstall made a quick trip back to Fresno over Labor Day weekend Sep 1-5. He stayed in the shed's main house, and tried out the shed pool for the first time!

Throughout his eight-month shed occupancy as a missionary, Burstall couldn't use the pool (except for baptisms - that would've been okay :) But swimming is forbidden for all missionaries.

Even during July 2010's days of 110-plus temps, Burstall and Elder Flournoy -- in soaked-in-sweat white shirts and ties and dress slacks -- walked right past the pool several times a day.

During his return to town, Burstall jumped in.

Burstall holds two shed records: He was the first occupant (with companion Randy Wellbaum). He also stayed the longest (May 26, 2010 to Feb 7, 2011).

On Saturday, (l-r) Elders Ramos, Casper and Carlson caught up with Burstall.

Elders Ramos, Casper & Carlson's surprise running into Burstall.
Carlson himself is an ex-shedling of four months, from Mar 23 to Jul 24, 2011.

Original shedling Christian Burstall with Elders Ramos, Casper & Carlson.

Lil Girl remembers the shed's first occupant.

Burstall crashes on Jangles' bed at Josh & Katie's.

On Sunday, he blessed the sacrament at Van Ness ward.
Members had lots of smiles and hugs for the RM who served in their ward for half of his two-year mission, which also may be a precedent.

On Saturday, Burstall embraced Josh outside his home in Clovis, and had dinner with him and Katie.

On other days, he had fun in the pool!

His Last Summer in Fresno.

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Notes from Elders & others

Dear Brother D, Thank you so much for letting me stay in “The Shed.” You helped me get through my first 6 weeks. You are amazing. I’m going to miss ya, and hopefully I get transferred back. – Elder Cook

(written next to a line drawing of 3 people in recliners, each wrapped in a slanket, holding a plate full of pizza rolls)

Dear Brother D, Thank you for the [zoo] transportation and cheeseburgers! The Fresno Zone.

Elders Wellbaum, McLaren, Ure, Hawes, Gonzalez, Talbot, Jones, Beach, Asay, Lee, Loew, Burstall; and Sisters Sears, Chacon, Moore, Tupou (sp), Petersen.

Brother D, Thanks for the chicken. I love you. – Elder Burstall

I love you, Bro. D, You’re the best! – Elder Wolfert

Brother Shedlord, We’re off to the library! We’ll be back about noon. Call if you need anything. – The Elders

Jul 4

Happy Indahvpendence Day! (with line drawing of Dave lighting a fuse on a space rocket with 2 missionaries tied to the rocket ready to blast off)

Jul 26

(line drawing of garden) Hey Bro D, This morning from Dav’s Gargantic Garden I picked 3 zucchini, 2 from this plant [arrow], and 1 from this plant [arrow]. Sorry for not asking. Love Elder Flournoy

Dear Brother D, I watered your farm in shorts, hat, and flops. I don’t own any patriotic shirts. – Elder Burstall

P.S. Also watered your cat.

Gate locked. Garden pruned. Love the Dahv! – Elders

(line drawing on napkin with arrows pointing to stick figure)

Dahv drink this [smoothie] Drink, sparkle, smile, kolaits, flopped feet [kolaits are summer men's shorts also known as cool-offs, man-pris, short pant]

(heart) The Elders in the shed.

Sep 6

(homemade card from typing paper)

Wow Dahv, You Must Be Really Fruit-Full. Your garden is so plentiful. Even though certain men have conspired against her. She has still reaped a harvest.

D&C 4:4 “For behold the field is white already to harvest and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not . . .”

Elders (heart) Papa

(copyright) Morman Hands, Proud Associates of the Elders in the Shed and The Dave Cave

(homemade card)

Thank you for the testimony you shared on Sunday Daaaaahv! Content & delivery A++++ We (heart) U, Love The Elders

Left everywhere: pink sticky-notes on various food items & bevs in the fridge and pantry that read “Elders, too” or "Dav’s too"

Periodically, a sticky note appears on a random item in another room, such as the TV, that reads "Dav's only"

Hey We Love You! – Elder Flournoy

(with line drawing of Dahv abducted by aliens in spaceship, bubble quote: ‘I knew it was my last summer in Fresno’)

Shedlord: There’s food in oven, syrup on stove. It’s homemade. Just bring to a boil & it’s ready. – Elder Ashton

Nov 15

Dear Brother D,

I am the housing coordinator for the California Fresno Mission and I want to thank you for housing our missionaries over these past few months. It was a great blessing to them and to the work of the Lord. I hope that you feel that you were blessed for this consecrated effort. I pray that the Lord willl continue to bless you for your service. Gratefully,

Sister Williams

Housing Coordinator

California Fresno Mission

Dec 6

Dear Shedlord, Hope you’re having a great open-eyes time! [Dave calls his naps rest-eyes time] Love, The Shedlings

Dec 20

Dear Brother D, We ate two of your cough drops. We will replace them. Love, Your shed-mates!

Light Keeper (sheet music) - be strong

Additional House Rules (posted by the shedlord)

House hours

Unless a special need arises, do not come into the main house before 7 a.m. (An exception is the exercise cube that may be entered into starting at 6:30 a.m.)

Please vacate the main house by 10 p.m.

Kitchen hours

7-8 a.m. breakfast

1-2 p.m. lunch

5-6 p.m. dinner

Note: Please inform the shedlord if the kitchen hours need to be modified based on a particular day’s last-minute activities.

Utensils, pans, etc. are shared. Food is kept separate, except as discussed. Elders maintain their own detergent, cleaning supplies, paper products, etc.

Misc.

● Please leave rooms how you found them (i.e. if a door is open when you come in, make sure it’s open when you leave; if a light is off when you come in, make sure it’s off when you leave; if you accidentally let a cat inside, make sure you coax her back out, etc. )

● The side gate is locked by 9:30 p.m. (when Elders must be home), and unlocked early morning. Lights out 10:30 p.m. Arise 6:30 a.m. Cleaning on Mondays. See chart for daily, weekly, monthly chores.

What is a Missionary?

Somewhere between the whirl of the teenage activity and confinement to the rocking chair we find a strange creature called a missionary.

Missionaries come in assorted varieties: Elders and Lady Missionaries. They come in different sizes, weights, and colors, green being the most common.

Converts love them, young girls worship them (the Elder type), dogs hate them, the law tolerates them, most people ignore them, and heaven protects them.

A missionary is truth with a pocket full of tracts, wisdom with a scant knowledge of the Bible, faith with 69 cents in its pocket and two weeks until Dad’s next check.

A missionary is a composite - - it has the appetite of a horse, the enthusiasm of a fire cracker, the patience of Job, the persistence of the Fuller Brush man, and the courage of a lion tamer.

It likes letters from home, invitations to Sunday dinners, conference checks, testimony meetings, companions, baptisms, and visits from the Mission President. It isn’t much on tracting in the rain, ladies who slam doors, hats, apartment houses, transfers, shaking hands at arm’s length, alarm clocks, and last but not least letters that start with “Dear John.”

Nobody rises so early or is so tired by 10:30 p.m. Nobody else can knock so boldly with such a shaky hand. Nobody else can get such a thrill at the end of a disappointing day when someone says, “Won’t you come in; we’ve been waiting for you!”

Yes, a missionary is a queer character. It can get homesick, and temporarily lose faith in the human race, but a strange lump rises in its throat the day it receives its letter of release and on arrival home its return talk will probably contain the phrase once considered trite: “The time I spent as a missionary is the happiest time of my life.”

(Author unknown)

"That they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

John 17:3