A Visit With Grandpa David

The Ripple Missionary Effect...

The following photos represent an amazing miracle, some may view as ordinary. I know there is no such thing as an ordinary miracle.

When Ron's mother was a widow raising two young sons, she was voted "Florida Teacher of The Year". Her College Alumni Newspaper, Kent State, in Ohio, made note of this accomplishment in it's quarterly newsletter mailed to all Alumni. One person, in particular took note of the detail that she was a widow. He, being newly single and a newly baptized member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, traveled to Florida, looked her up.. and the rest... is a wonderful history. David Brainard (known affectionately as Grandpa Dave) brought the gospel of Jesus Christ to Ron, his mother, and his brother.

Since the passing of Ron's mother, Cid, David remarried a woman named Eleanor. They have a home in Arizona and a condo in Salt Lake City. Recently, they have served as missionaries in Salt Lake City. David had knee surgery a few weeks ago and is now in a Rehabilitation Facility in Salt Lake for healing. We had a nice visit with him. Some very tender moments. He misses Ron's mother, Grandma Cid very much.

We recognize that we enjoy the family relationships we do because David brought the gospel to Ron. Ron and I would have never met had he not been a member of The Church and served as a missionary in Salt Lake (We met after his mission when he returned to Salt Lake with the intention of marrying someone else! I am so happy that did not work out!!!)

David and Ron
Curt, Jeffrey, David, and Ron

Note all the Orange Ties... It was game day... the Gators needed more than Orange Ties to pull off a win that night. Scroll down for the Gators Report.

Curt, Carmen, Alison, David, Ron, Shauna
Eleanor (This was the first time David, Eleanor, and Alison met)
Alison's sister, Amanda was with and took this photo. Thank you, Amanda!
Jeffrey and David. Jeffrey made sure Grandpa David marked his calendar to be in Florida for his June 13 wedding.
Oh----Jeffrey, I think Grandpa David has forgiven you for loosening the lid on top of the pepper and salt shakers in the Swiss Hat Restaurant in Sugar Creek, Ohio. Or was that Andrew. Regardless of who did it, when David turned the shakers upside down to sprinkle a small amount of pepper and salt on his food.. he got more than he bargained for... his food was completely covered with salt and pepper... AND all of the sudden, Jeffrey and Andrew were no where to be seen. They silently got out of the restaurant while the getting was safe....

Jeffrey, Grandpa David, and Alison

One never knows the far reaching influence of sharing the Gospel with just "one" person. I am so thankful for the person who was bold enough to share The Gospel of Jesus Christ with David. My life is rich and full of joy as a result of that one decision to share.