The Vineyard 9-2016

Each year we, as missionaries along with the members in the Valley have the opportunity to work in the "Lord's Vineyard" literally!  We love it, it is a great experience and a memory that will last forever!!!

Lest you think we have great tans - you would be wrong, it's DIRT!!!! Not only do you pick grapes standing, you also crawl underneath and up into each row to reach all of the grapes!
It's a messy job, but somebody has to do it!

The grapes are laid out on this paper to begin the drying process.  In a few weeks the "laborers" will return and turn them and then the drying process will be done a few weeks later at which time they will be picked up and sent to be cleaned, hydrated, and packaged.  Note the rows are graded at an angle in case of rain allowing the rain to wash through and not collect in the grapes so the drying process won't be hindered.  Once complete, the raisins comprise the Church's "store" for the year and are shipped to the Bishop's Storehouses worldwide.  This area (San Joaquin Valley) is believed to grow 80% of the world's raisin supply. 

Here are a few pictures that the missionaries sent to me . . .

Elder Merrill and Elder Muir

Elder Merrill and Elder Muir

Elder Watson and Elder Walker are way in the back, Elder Howard is in the front with a
lot of great ward members

Elder Watson and Elder Howard

Sister Aguilar and Sister Wright

Sister Frazier and Sister Johnson with ward friends

Sister Johnson and Sister Frazier

Sister Larsen and Sister Aboussou

Sister Plummer and Sister Windham

Elder Vastbinder (You can't help but eat a grape or two, they are sweet, sweet, sweet,
full of rich flavor)

Elder Morrison and Elder Dean

Elder Vastbinder, Elder Gibson, Elder Nielsen, Elder Morales with ward members

Sister Maxwell and Sister Jeppesen

Elder Draney and Elder Howard

Elder Stojka

Elder Keeley

Elder Olsen, Elder Speer, Elder Halliday, Elder Tongish, Elder Nesom, Elder Van Vleet

Elder Gray

Sister Murray and Sister Rendon

Elder Richardson