Pond

Our drainage pond has become a lake. We have had a lot of rain and a couple of tornadoes on the area.

Angel Moroni

Cupcake top for baptism Saturday.

April 27

Enjoyed going to a "regular" ward for Easter. Little kids, babies, old folks, choir sang This Is the Christ plus a solo, very nice. Then we got to have a royal Easter dinner: ham, potato casserole, salad, green beans with garlic and oil, frog eye salad and carrot cake for dessert. Plus, we got to take home some of the leftovers to enjoy again on Monday! The sister missionaries were invited also and they had a message prepared to give them. The Paries have a lovely home in Winterville, about 5 miles away. They have a daughter serving a mission in Mesa, AZ where Sister Quiroz is from -- quite the coincidence. They also have a daughter going to school for a semester in London and one going to BYU (she got home Thursday). He is 1st counselor in the branch presidency. He was holding down the fort while Pres. Lewis and family vacationed in Aruba and 2nd counselor vacationed in Hawaii. It was spring break all week, but elementary school starts back tomorrow.

Monday Elder Steffler and I got hair cuts. Mine was getting too long and heavy and taking way too much time to fix every morning. So now it is shorter (cut one inch off length) and I still have to fuss with it! We went to the movie "Heaven is for Real" and enjoyed it very much. Pretty much what we believe about the after life (except angels don't have wings). For FHE the branch played ultimate frisbee and are they ever competitive! One guy jumped up to catch the frisbee and fell down an embankment, almost into the ditch.

Tuesday was the usual lesson practice from one of the companionships and lunch. Then I sent text messages to several inactives (no replies) and we drove to a couple of them without luck. Wednesday we had an appointment with Tyrie and his little brother (10) Christian. He had read a chapter or two in the B of M Stories and remembered them. His baptism is scheduled for May 24. He wants to be baptized, we just need to make sure he understands what he is doing. We drive the sisters out to his trailer where he lives with his parents and brother. It takes about 25-30 minutes (mostly because of the traffic, it's about 20 miles). A committee meeting was held before Institute to plan for the potluck next week. It is the last one for this semester. Then we have a couple of weeks before starting spring semester. Institute was about Mormon and Moroni's farewells, then had quick breads for snack. (Food, again)

Thursday we took off out of town to New Bern and Washington to meet with a couple of brethren at their homes. The scenery is lovely and green and still lots of flowers on shrubs and trees. Tried to find an inactive sister in New Bern, but she was at work. Enjoyed the boardwalk over the water in Washington. We didn't know we were that close to the ocean or we might have traveled a few more miles east!

The Nashville Tribute Band came to Kinston (about 25 miles south) and the branch had a bunch of tickets they were trying to sell. We bought 4 before we realized that if you brought a nonmember, the missionary could get in free. So we were busy giving them away. Bro. Walker (the YSA high council rep) called and told us that we needed to get all the missionaries there (or else?), so we started calling inactives to try to get them to go, but it was too late; most had other plans by then. The elders from G1 took two for investigators and we had two for Tyrie and Christian.

Pictures were taken of the district at our meeting. The elders stopped a bicyclist and asked him to take it and he was very willing. We took the sisters to a different trailer court by Tyrie to do some follow up contacting and struck out. We were going to take them to an appointment on the other side of Greenville when it started to rain, another gulley washer plus thunder and lightning like I could not believe! A tornado had touched down by the airport earlier that afternoon (about 10 miles from where we were). Canceled the appointment and carefully made our way home; lots of water on the road. We were glad to make it uneventfully.

Saturday we went back the same trailer court with the sisters and struck out again. So we picked up Tyrie and Christian to take to a baptism and concert. The baptism was very nice; a sister whose family is mostly active and were there to support her. Nice refreshments, too: White cupcakes with a picture of the Angel Moroni pasted on an snack fork and stuck in the top of the cupcake. Also fruit tray and veggie tray. We took the sisters and Tyrie and Christian back to our apartment and fixed link sausage, blueberry pancakes and scrambled eggs plus juice before heading out to Kinston. We were way early and had to stand in line for about 45 min. All the missionaries were there with investigators and a whole lot of hugging and hand shaking going on (sisters hug sister; elders shake hands).

It was a musical tribute to the Prophet Joseph Smith. There were four members in the band; Jason Deere wrote and arranged the music and the others harmonized and played guitars. They all work out of Nashville as professional musicians and sing gospel mostly with a little red-neck wailin' goin' on. First time we have heard a song about Porter Rockwell. You can learn more about them at http://nashvilletributeband.com/

They have toured around the world. In Australia they performed at a reunion of direct descendants of the Prophet Joseph (none were members, then) so it was kind of interesting, he said. They said they had been to Nampa, Idaho to perform – I didn't see them. Lasted a couple of hours, then had to take Tyrie and Christian home, so we drug ourselves in about 10:15. Very tired, but very well worth it.

Had an interesting meeting schedule (AGAIN). The Nashville Tribute Band performed an hour-long concert (more like what they are going to do tonight as a fireside in Kinston) for us and the G1 ward in the cultural hall. One of the band members said he wasn't quite sure what kind of meeting this was (we weren't either). Even got the stake president up with them to help sing a hymn. Lots of testimony bearing with the music, very enjoyable (and tears). Then we went into the chapel for the sacrament meeting (we were suppose to have talked, but I was ok to postpone it for 2 weeks) and one of the sister missionaries who is being transferred bore her testimony and that was it (half an hour). Then we had a hour-long priesthood and RS meeting. We had some visitors from Washington because of tornado warning in effect and no church meetings. Heard that one member's home was damaged and trees down. So it was an interesting church today. Then we had a hour-long missionary correlation meeting. Didn't get home until after 3 after starting at 9:30 with branch council.

We are looking forward to traveling to Richmond VA for a two-mission conference Saturday morning. The RS sisters are having a girls weekend at Myrtle Beach! Hope your week is eventful, too. Love to all, Elder and Sister Steffler

Flowering shrub

Taken outside the sister missionaries apt. Look closely to see pic of Christ in the window.

Pamlico sound

Dan is looking out at the river from the boardwalk.

Wisteria

It looks like lilacs but its a vine. Like huge bunches of grapes only flowers. Loving all the different flora.

April 19

Monday was P day (preparation – day off) and I made bread, cleaned the apartment (Dan vacuumed), scrubbed the tub and tile, mopped the vinyl floors. In the afternoon Sister McAlister ramrodded a project of making Easter eggs out of coconut, peanut butter and chocolate (3 different kinds) then all were dipped in melted chocolate. Then the elders and sisters decorated them – some were pretty fancy. At FHE we made or wrote letters to the outgoing branch president, Pres. Rapplea. He was released the first Sunday we were here, but we still made a thank-you card. Then we visited with the members and got to know some of them better. First time we had of informally talking to most of them.

Tuesday the G2 sisters came to our apt to practice Plan of Salvation. They stayed for lunch. We were given a list of inactives to track down, so we spent some time sending emails and texts. The YSA sisters helped us try to find some and we got caught in the torrential downpour. Dan was soaked and I just got wet.

We tried some BBQ at Parker's Barbecue. I told them I did not want chicken – so we got chicken. I think that was the only meat they prepared! It was disguised as chopped, but it was still chicken; served with a chicken stew, boiled potatoes, coleslaw and hush puppies. It was dreadful! Neither of us could finish it. I can't even describe it.

Wednesday we ventured out to find Ricky West (man we met while getting oil changed) and drove right to his house! He was outside tying down some yard debris in his pickup and recognized our car. Had a good chat with him. He even showed us his "man shed" that had 4 Harley's and a riding lawn mower in it! Had an appointment with a lukewarm member from St. Thomas Virgin Islands. Yes, he was black, but very nice and we got to meet his two roommates. That night was Institute; had about 30 come.

Thursday we had an appt with an active sister, Nikki, who is trying to get her papers in for a mission. A delightful young lady. You'll never guess where we had lunch! If you guessed a BBQ place, you're right! A place where we think a couple of inactives work, but it was too busy to talk with anyone. I think the whole town was eating lunch there. We had identifiable pieces of chicken with a vinegary sauce, coleslaw (not too bad) and fried flat cornbread. No leavening; very heavy and not very appetizing. We may not try BBQ again for awhile.

We were working on our list of inactives and found a couple who had moved on and some not home.

Friday was district mission meeting. Listed on the board some questions that investigators had asked, then found scriptures that would answer those questions. Interesting. I made a strawberry cake with real strawberries on top of strawberry frosting (he said he liked strawberries!) for Tyrie. Took it to him with the sister missionaries and encouraged him to read from the Book of Mormon daily. That evening we taught another active member a lesson. It went really well.

Today is rainy and windy so I did laundry and we have been reading some of our assigned talks. Don't really want to go out rabbit hunting in this weather. If we had appointments, that would be entirely different. Looking forward to Easter with a regular ward (one with babies and children and old people). Plus, we have a dinner appt, which helps! Looking forward to our connect at 7 MDT. Be sure to tune in! Love to all, Elder and Sister Steffler

Ditch

On south side of complex. Not for irrigation but for draining.

Creek

Borders east side of apt complex.

Church House in bloom

Trees and bushes are beautiful.

April 13

At Institute last Wednesday we were given the charge to call all those who have not been coming and invite them to come. Haven't received a list yet, so have not done it yet. Institute only lasts until April 30 (when we will have a potluck) but there is talk of continuing it through the summer for those who will be here and those who will come home from other schools. We received an email to get registered for Institute, but haven't heard anything yet. Clark is a really good teacher. He can get more from one scripture than anyone I know!

Thursday was the meeting in Kinston. The Greenville 2nd Ward sisters went with us. First was a district meeting. We role played for 5 minutes with another companionship about a subject from Preach My Gospel. Had lunch at Wendy's. We were looking for a Subway and our GPS sent us to Wendy's. Oh, well, I like frosties. Our interview with our mission president, Pres. Baker, went well. He mostly listened to our questions we had.

We then had a couple of hours before an appointment, so we switched sisters and went looking for inactives in the area with the YSA sisters. We drove about 10 miles to La Grange to find Samuel Shirey. He was not at home, but his mom was. She couldn't believe we had found her. She had been praying to find out where her son's records were (in the singles ward) and prayed that someone could help him back on the path of righteousness. She is active, but her son is not. We are going to try to talk with him this next Saturday and see what he has to say.

Then we had an appointment for supper. When we arrived, plans had changed. He was going to cook for us, but something traumatic had happened in the family, so they took us out to eat. It was at Ribeye Steakhouse and it was yummy! After eating, the YSA sisters gave a lesson on faith and repentance, right there is the restaurant. A little unusual for us, but not for them obviously. Then his folks (there were 8 to dinner) had a parenting class and had to go, so we went back to their house and he showed us his collection (some of it) of reptiles. He had a young python, two king snakes (babies), a monitor lizard (young) and a tarantula. The sisters held them and ooh and aahed over them, but Elder Steffler and I sat back and watched.

Friday we took the sisters to Tyrie Pollard's home for a lesson on the restoration. His mom came outside and wanted to know what kind of church her son was getting involved with. She settled down after we explained. Tyrie had to help his dad load a riding lawn mower to get repaired, so then we gave the lesson – outside in the shade of the trailer house. That is where we took the picture. I'm not sure how much he understood, but he has a baptism date of May 24.

Friday was also when we bought the recliner. I had an address for a rental place and Dan ran a red light to get there (it was a really awkward intersection) and we pulled into what we thought should have been the place. A black unmarked car followed us and a man in plain clothes with a badge hung around his neck came up to the car and asked if we were lost. (I was sure he was going to give Dan a ticket!) We said yes and told him what we were looking for, so he called the police station to find out where it had moved to. In the meantime, a second car drives up and another plainclothes man goes to the other side of the car to see what is going on. Anyway, the first man found out where the rental place had moved to and said we could follow him and he would point it out. So we did and he did and we found the recliner! Many prayers answered. (And we are NOT drug salesmen!)

Saturday was Pirate Fest. The missionaries had a booth with the question, "Do you have a pirate ancestor?" We could not prostelize, but we gave out lots of card with familysearch.org on them. Even handed out some flyers that told how you can get started on your genealogy with a pedigree chart on the back. Those young missionaries really worked the crowd! There was a world map and they had sticky dots so people could put where their family was from. Little kids loved the stickers. There were only a few who were not interested. Even a few who thanked the missionaries for the information. We worked the booth from 2:30-5. I thought it was pretty warm (in the 80s) but was assured it was a lovely day and not that warm! We went back to the apt sweaty and tired.

Today is Palm Sunday. We were told at church by one of the speakers to go on lds.org and follow the Savior's path this week leading up to Easter. We had a newly-called missionary also talk. The stake patriarch said our patriarchal blessings are our own personal Liahona and to read it often. It tells of eternal blessings and is never outdated.

The branch will have no meetings next Sunday, because most of the members can go to their home wards. We will go to one of the Greenville wards then to dinner at the first counselor's home.

We are lining up inactives to visit this week and hope to stay busier than we have been. Will let you know how it goes. Hope all of you are well and staying busy. Have y'all planted your gardens yet?! Love to all, mom (Sister Steffler) and approval from Elder Steffler

Aarg

Some of the sister missionaries who helped at pirate fest saterday.

Rough

Any ideas what kinds of trees l have

Smooth

How about this contrast

Thumbs up

Ysa sister missionaries and investigator tyrie

April 9

Enjoyed the spiritual feast at conference on Sunday. We had a grand feast of food before conference at Bro. Walker's in Kinston. Rib-eye steak, mashed potatoes, butter beans and some kind of peas. It was all really good. Then we watched the Spoken Word and conference. Afterwards, we didn't know if we were to stay for the 2nd session or what, but when he said, do you want a "to go" plate, we knew it was time to leave! So we watched the 2nd session in the chapel here in Greenville. Two elders needed a ride to visit an investigator, so we gave them a ride, but she was not at home. Interesting place, the ghetto. Tiny houses, but they were made of brick. This may have been more upscale ghetto. Dan counted the number of churches here in Pitt County (in the phone book) and there were 314! One block I saw 3 churches in a row, all different, nothing else on the block.

Monday we had the oil changed in our car. We had traveled 7,000 miles since the last change and it was at 30% life left in the oil. So we decided to change it. Met an interesting gentleman; he and Dan got along like life-long buddies. Talked about trucks, motorcycles, some about church (he was not interested, but he knew of a co-worker and doctor who were members and he was happy with the Baptist religion), his working for the power company and being injured on the job. We gave him a passalong card and he asked if he could keep it (we said of course) and he put it in his wallet. After an hour and a half, our car's oil was changed and our tires rotated (in Phoenix they did it for free) but they charged an additional $15 for the rotation. We felt like we had gotten taken advantage of, but it needed done, so, oh well.

At FHE the young adults played volleyball. We were invited to join the Greenville 1st Ward empty nesters in a game of conference jeopardy. Just one day after conference and I didn't remember very much. I had even taken notes!

Tuesday we had a luncheon appointment with the branch president and stake president at a fish restaurant. Dan and I had flounder (suppose to be like halibut, but wasn't) and seasoned french fries and coleslaw. The best part was the banana pudding for dessert! We got a branch roster – finally! and talked about reactivation of young adults and some programs that we will help with.

Tomorrow we have an interview with our mission president, Pres. Baker and district leadership meeting. We are to choose a topic from Preach My Gospel and do a role play with another set of missionaries. We chose Keep the Sabbath Day Holy. We have worked on it a bit; will let you know how it turns out!

Today the YSA sister missionaries went through the branch roster so we can pick out someone to teach. Then we went with them to an inactive member and gave him a discussion. His grandparents just left for a mission to Nauvoo and his mom asks him each week if he will go to church. So we encouraged him to come; he said he could not this week but maybe next week. Not real firm, but we will have to follow up with him.

Tonight is Institute. We are going to study 3 Nephi 15-18. We have read it, so we are ready to be fed the gospel. I think this is called hungering for the scriptures – and it is a good thing!

We love all of you and hope you are enjoying your life. We are! Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts.

update

Hope you enjoyed looking at the photos. I am hoping this email will go on the blog. We are still getting our apartment furnished; bought black-out drapes for a west-facing window – one was 63" long and the other was 84". So back to Target we went. We also bought place mats, floor mats for kitchen and both bathrooms (yes, two bathrooms!), kitchen towels to match the place mats, and lots of food. Bare cupboards just don't seem right! Or an empty frig. That has been taken care of.

On a more spiritual note: Family Home Evening every Monday night with the Young Single Adult branch; Institute every Wednesday night (food included with both of those), District Meeting Fridays with Zone meeting the first Friday of every month. These are training meetings and to see which investigators need what and where the teaching is taking place. I'm learning that the young elders and sisters are being trained very well (maybe I'll learn something, too).

Wednesday we visited city hall and chamber of commerce, where we learned about a Biz Expo the next day. That night was Institute. It covered 3 Nephi 11-12; went through the beattitudes like I had never contemplated before; very interesting. Revelation is God's answer to our prayers.

The Biz Expo was held at the Convention Center – a cross between the Civic Center and Idaho Center, kind of in the middle. Businesses were set up in booths with cards, plastic cups and candy to give away and sign up for all kinds of freebies. I hope to win the helicopter ride for 1 1/2 hours along the Outer Banks. We met lots of people and gave out a few passalong cards. Then Dan and I went to the movie "Noah." Thought it would be more scripture based, but no, it was Hollywood based – they made up whatever suited them!

At zone leadership we learned to pray for discernment and follow our impressions. We went with the sister missionaries to the campus of Eastern Carolina University. We had passalong cards that we gave out and visited with a few people. Not many on campus because it was 4 p.m. on a Friday. Then we went to a discussion with them to an investigator named Tyrei. He is still in high school and hopes to graduate in June. He is black and about 6'4" and 150 lbs. We sat on a bench in front of the elementary school near where he lives and talked about Faith and Repentance. Interesting, but he did say the closing prayer and agreed to a baptism date!

Enjoyed general conference – all day at the church. District had pizza at 11 and Dan and I prepared a fruit salad. Conference is from noon-2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.; priesthood was a 8. I got to go with my companion and enjoy pie and ice cream at 7. Today we are watching conference at the Walkers in Kinston; he is high councilman over the single adults. He said he started his smoker about 11, so the food should be interesting!

Really enjoyed Elder Holland's talk and the way that he testifies of the truth. But all the talks were good and we are looking forward to another day of feasting on the word.

We really love our family and their support. Got a package with notes from Lena and family; thanks. Ed helped us get our email fixed so we can send messages (what a fiasco). Enjoy talking with you, just remember there is a 2 hour time difference! Hopefully we can hang-out with y'all tonight.

Blooming tree

This scene is outside our bedroom window.

Lizard

If you look closely you can see a small green lizard on the rail on the left. He was just outside our door. Weather is in the 80s.

Made it

As you can see we had quite a trip to get 2 Greenville . It was about 2200 miles through several snow storms. The countryside was very diverse. We saw rolling hills, flat plains, farm land with trees surrounding each plot . Then we got to Mountains with snow on them and roads that had lots of curves. Kentucky had several snow storms but the roads were just wet. It was n West Virginia that the roads got dicey. We woke up with 4 inches of snow on the roof of our car. We had stretches of wet, slushie and snow packed roads. Once we got over the Mountains the roads were okay. Our Garmin saved the day. We met president Baker at the mission office and all of the staff. We stayed that night with the bakers at the mission home. We Got 2 stay n the general authority bedroom. Only because there were less steps 2 go up. We traveled 2 Greenville the next day and got the keys to our apt. From the sister missionaries. They helped us unpack the car. Very helpful. We have A nice apartment. 2 bedrooms:, 2 bathrooms, kitchenette, washer and dryer and most of our cooking utensils, pans and silverware. We are settling in. Have already been 2 A district meeting 4 missionaries, A baptism, confirmation, women's conference, and eaten at just about all of them. A new branch presidency was installed and then there was food, of course. We got 2 say A few words 2 introduce ourselves. Last night we attended FH E 4 the singles. We are attached 2 A young single adult branch. We have met quite A few of the members already. Tonight we are having dinner with the new branch president and his family. Will try 2 stay on top of our blog better.

Crusty car

They don't have snow removal in West Virginia. They put lots of salt on the Road. Our little blue car was almost white.