May 5

Whoa, we got busy this week! Not so much with teaching as providing service.

Monday Dan got his hearing aids checked; not the problem—his allergies are causing congestion so he is taking a wanna-be zertec. Shopped for groceries and used up about 6 ripe bananas by making banana choc chip cookies, bars and muffins. For FHE we planned for pizza and a movie. The pizza was good but the movie didn't happen because the DVDs were Blu Ray and the computer was not compatible even though it said it was. So the young adults sat around and talked, which was probably better in the long run.

Tuesday was our last practice run with G2 sisters because Sis. Glaser is being transferred Thursday. Made bread and hamburger stew to feed them. Gave a loaf of bread to the family above us, the Vines; Kenny, Danielle and 4-year-old Mya. He in turn gave us his phone number, as we gave him a passalong card with our phone number. I now have keys to the church house, so we checked on supplies we might need to Wed. and Sunday (break the fast). As we were cooking our supper, a frantic phone call from elders to meet at the church and help with a discussion. Didn't know which elders (couldn't understand half of what he said), but we shut off the chicken and headed to the church. Interrupted one discussion (no, they had not called), then found the elders who had called. They need either a member or another sister in a discussion with another sister. This sister has just about the entire history of Pitt County that the family history folks are helping her to upload and she is suppose to be reading the Book of Mormon. Well, she might have read some, but she forgets to pray about it. I suggested a sticky note with prayer written on it and Elder Steffler suggested she use it as a bookmark so she remembers where she finished reading. Then she got started on barbecue and what a divine dish it was. I said the BBQ at Parker's was awful and she defended it as being good! Was rather indignant that I would suggest such a thing! Yes, she agreed it was probably an acquired taste.

Weather has been fearful the last few days, tornadoes touching down and warning and heavy rains. So Wed. we get another warning and cancel institute, after I had texted everyone his assignment; so I had to text again about the cancelation. What a bummer. Didn't rain all that hard, either. So we picked up Dan's two suits at the cleaners and invited the 3 sisters to supper. One of the sisters had gone home Monday (end of mission), so the single became a threesome. We fixed chicken soup and had strawberries with Nutella. Sis. Quiroz wrote in my notebook and we gave her one of our Indian "trinkets" to remember us. She is headed to Rocky Mount tomorrow.

Up early Thursday (5 a.m.) to take Sis Jones to mission office for training to be a new missionary trainer. Got there a couple of minutes late because I had punched in 115 instead of 1115 for the address – just a mile off. Sis Quiroz had predicted Sis Jones' new companion would be blonde, short and artistic – and she is. From South Jordon, Utah; Sis Jones from Sandy, Utah. They are getting along fine. We also picked up two twin-sized air mattress for elders to sleep on Fri. nite.

At district meeting Friday we met all the new companionships; only one was not changed (two counting the Stefflers – and Elder Steffler introduces me as his eternal companion!). Lesson was on modern day scriptures and having unity in your companionships. Went with G2 sisters to a struggling sister having a problem with smoking. She has been slipping and has family names to take to the temple, but is not worthy. She is pretty discouraged, but we did our best to help her with her covenants and recommitting. Found another sister at home and raked her driveway and some yard filled with pine needles, then taught her a short lesson on reading the Book of Mormon and praying. She has health problems and can barely make it out to pick up her mail. Returned home in time to fix supper for the two Washington elders who will stay with us overnight and we will take to Richmond to the missionary conference tomorrow. Gravy with roast chunks, potatoes and steamed broccoli. Then ice cream and banana choc chip bars (all that baking has really come in handy!). Then they went on splits with G1 elders. Meanwhile a knock at our door and 4 sisters are needing a place to stay because the apartment they are assigned to was locked. So we invite them in (one of the sisters had done splits with Sis Jones a week ago and knew where we lived) and fed them strawberries and Nutella. The 2 sisters who live in the complex call to see where they are, and come right over for strawberries too. So these 6 sisters sit around the table and giggle and laugh and talk about where they are from – it was fun. Finally cut up some pineapple and an apple and they eat those too! After 45 minutes they go to their apartment and shortly after the 2 elders come in. They enjoyed the air mattresses and not having to sleep on the floor.

Saturday we were up at 4:10 to be in Richmond by 8:15 and we made it! What an honor to "sit at the feet" on an apostle of the Lord and hear him teach us how Christ would have us teach and to bear apostolic witness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His teaching was having us tell what we were impressed about in the 3 talks we had previously read. For 45 min elders and sisters told of what impressed them and he asked questions to expand our understanding of what was being expressed. It was awesome. Also in attendance was 2nd councilor in presiding bishopric, Bro. Davies, one of pres of 70s, Bro Rollins, plus area 70 and Elder Bednar's wife. For the next 45 min we were invited to ask questions, not silly or frivolous questions, but insightful questions and E Bednar assigned one of the brethren or wife to answer the question. They did it by asking questions back to make sure they knew what was really being asked, then showing them where they could find more definitive answers. Wonderful. Our assignments were: Based on what I have observed, learned and felt today, what will I do? And: Based upon what we have observed, learned and felt today, what will we do? Then we had to get out of the building so the priesthood leadership on both missions could be taught the same thing. Amazing the strength and energy this all entailed. Made it home at 5 so the elders could travel back to Washington. Then filled the tank up for the fourth time this week!

Sunday got to sleep in! Then made brownies and apple cobbler for break the fast. I didn't have any chocolate, so used Nutella for the frosting; pretty yummy. Because many of the sisters had gone to Myrtle Beach for the weekend, our numbers were few. But the spirit we felt in fast and testimony meet matched what we felt yesterday in Richmond. Three of our new converts (the 3 M's – Matt, Martha and Megan, baptized in March) bore their testimonies, along with those who had helped to introduce them also bore their testimonies. Very powerful. We fixed spaghetti, salad, french bread and desserts for break the fast. Not many leftovers. Then had an hour-long meeting with CES Bro. McKinnon and the new institute teacher, Sis Walker. A new program similar to Come Follow Me will be introduced in July. Bro McKinnon said at the Thursday meeting with the general authorities and auxiliaries, 8 seminary students were invited to come and explain what and how they had been taught and all were impressed and taught by these students. Then we had a short nap before picking up Tyrie and taking him to Pres Lewis' home for the CES fireside at 8 p.m. Elder Ballard talked about technology (using it wisely), pornography and the Lord's law on marriage. He talked straightforward but with authority, love and concern. Home at 10:15; a good tired.

So now you see why I did not get my blog done earlier. I first had to write in my journal before I can blog so I can use that as a guideline. We have a getaway planned for this weekend: a visit to Norfolk Botanical Gardens with all the senior missionaries in the mission. Who wouldn't want to go on a mission when all these wonderful opportunities are available?! We are loving it and loving the service we can give to members and the missionaries. Hope all is well with you and yours. Thanks for taking the time to read my lengthy epistle. God bless. Elder & Sister Steffler