May 18

On Mother's Day we picked up Tyrie and his 10-year-old brother Christian and we all met with YSA sister missionaries for a lesson on Faith and prayer and reading scripture. We went to meetings with the Greenville 2nd Ward because the branch did not have meetings; told to spend the day with their mothers. There were 10 missionaries in the meeting! The Primary sang 2 very sweet songs for the moms, then 3 talks on mothers. We attended the Gospel Essentials lesson and wish we had something like it in the branch. Might have to teach it ourselves, which would be okay. Then a short R.S. lesson and treat of brownies and ice cream and a rose to take home. It was very nice. We were invited to the Lewis' for dinner, along with the sister missionaries. Pres. Lewis had to work at 3 and it was now 4:30, so Sis Lewis grilled steaks for us. Yummy. Sister Jones was able to Hangout with her parents and other family members (that's why it took us so long to get on) and was very thankful for that. It was very nice seeing everyone and listen to the chatter. Remember Father's Day: same thing!

Monday after our cleaning and laundry, we went looking for strawberries. There are patches of strawberries where you can pick for yourself. We found one, but it was closed, so we went on an adventure – to Vanceboro, about 25 miles southeast. Found strawberries – already picked! When we got home I made bread and gave a loaf to next door neighbor and introduced ourselves. Now have met everyone is our little quad – but one moved on Friday. Got an invite for supper at Pres. Walker's (stake pres). Had our first chicken pasta – like chicken soup with lasagna, only pastry a little different. It was good, better that BBQ! Pres. asked how the elders (there were 4 elders and us) were using what Elder Bednar taught. He emphasized that members need to be present when teaching investigators. Then had FHE; we did some chasing for Pres. Lewis (branch pres). Set up some appointments that should keep us going this week.

Elder Steffler was feeling a little puney Tues so I let him sleep in, but we still had to walk. Had a practice session with YSA sisters – really felt the spirit. Kind of hard to figure out, but the spirit testifies even when you are practicing. It was a warm, good feeling. Then lunch, of course. Papa told of his mom's passing and how special it was for him to witness how thin the veil is and how happy his mother was to go be with loved ones who had passed. After lunch, the zone leaders called to see if we could help give a blessing of comfort to one of the sister missionaries. They came here; we didn't go anywhere or do anything after that. It was really strange. Got a letter from Maike and that cheered us up; she is in Laos then will finish up in Vietnam in July.

Reached upper 80s again, but the humidity was not as bad. Maybe I can live like this! Had time to read some Christ-like attributes (assignment from Pres Baker, mission president). Then Pres Lewis took us to B's BBQ, with real atmosphere! Had to wait in line for about 20 minutes (that means it will be good, right?) and ordered a sandwich with coleslaw on it. Not too bad. I just need to remember to order it as a sandwich from now on. Then we got a tour of some of the towns and homes west of town; some really nice homes and some like the photo with vines growing all over it. We have seen some 2-story buildings all covered with vines and were told that they use to be tobacco sheds.  Had a really good lesson with Tyrie and Stevon (a member who is on-again-off-again) and had a really good lesson. Stevon was able to testify to Tyrie of how the gospel changed his life. It was touching. Had chicken soup, homemade bread and strawberries and Nutella.

Thursday was a discombobulating day – just like it sounds! I needed a prescription filled and it had run out. I looked everywhere for the paper with the 4 Rx from the doctor and could not find it. Took G2 sisters to Pollards (Tyrie's place) to ask if they could teach Christian and it was OK. Then stopped at a sister to see how she was doing with her commitment to stop smoking and an inactive sister to try to get her to read the Book of Mormon. Kind of struck out at both places. After supper we went to the church house so that Pres Lewis and RS pres could have a meeting (no one else was in the building). A 2-hour meeting. Talked with DJ as he and Sher were on the way to the temple, so that was good, and we got our B of M reading done.

Had a big storm about 4:30 Fri morning and the pond is a lake again! District meeting was good; several baptisms are coming up. Companionships role-played the pictures in the missionary edition of the B of M. They tell the story of the B of M in about 8 pictures. After meeting we took the G2 sisters to Ellen Dennison's for lunch – we were invited, too. It was yummy; BBQ ribs, potato salad, baked beans and Boston cream pie. She lives about 25 miles west of town, but the meal was worth it! We were all primed to meet Stevon's brother, Jamal, but it was not to be. We will get to meet him at some time. We worked on our talks for Sunday and watched a conference talk.

We got up early Saturday and picked Stevon up and drove to Kinston for an employment seminar (all day) – how to prepare and present yourself for job interviews. Very informative. Filmed each of the participants while being asked questions; what a riot looking at facial expressions and body language. Then we critiqued them. Had supper at Zaxby's: chicken, fries and toast. Probably won't eat there again. I worked on one arbitration that took me half an hour! Unreal.

Today we had branch council, left early to pick up Tyrie and Christian, then had to give our talks. There were only about 20 members present (school is over and waiting for summer folks to come), but the spirit was there. It was good. I spoke about 15 minutes and left Dan about 25 minutes. He had to tell of how we met and got engaged; he said I would not be too happy about it and I wasn't. But this is a YSA ward and they need to get on the ball and get married! Then I helped an 80-year-old lady in a wheelchair to use the bathroom. Yipee! Then I helped a young (20s something) lady get up off the floor in a different restroom! She has MS and had fallen between the two doors of the bathroom and couldn't get up. She called her mother who in turn called the church and I "happened" to be sitting in the foyer and answered the phone. I literally had to pull her up off the floor. Thankfully she was not a "large" sister; she may even be an investigator. So I feel like I have done my two services for the day (in addition to giving a talk!). Two things I had never done before. Opportunities right in our way.

We are relaxing and taking naps (papa is) before another week gets underway. The sister missionaries invited us to go with them tomorrow to pick strawberries – and not as far as Vanceboro! Hope this finds all well. Someone find out about Scottie and let me know how he is. We love all of you and pray for you every day. Lydia, a big day on Tuesday for you! God bless, Elder and Sister Steffler