June 15

Had a good Sabbath on June 8: Joshua at the battle of Jericho and all; good talks. Bro. Walker (high counselor over young adults) invited Dan to help him cook hot dogs at the softball game Saturday in Havelock. Also Elder Terrill asked us to drive him to the mission office so he can get trained to be a trainer and pick up is "new" companion. New from the MTC. Got our lunch and goodies packed for our adventure on Monday.

Up early Monday so no exercise. Headed to Harker's Island at 6:45. I decided not to fuss with my hair – a decision I was glad I made later in the day! The trip is just over 70 miles and took 2 hours. The ferry ride was about 15 minutes (not much more than a boat), but the horses were out near the banks so we slowed down to take pictures. These horses have been on Shackleford Banks for about 300 years and eat only the salt grass that grows there. When it doesn't rain, the horses know where to go to dig down to get a drink of fresh water. The smaller one on the right is a colt; its coat is shaggy. Once we got to Cape Lookout Lighthouse, we took the "mule train" to see the island. It is just a 4-wheel drive pick up with benches in the back. The driver has a speaker so you can hear her tell all about the history of the island. It was very breezy along the shore (hence what I said earlier about my hair). She drove right along the beach; it was low tide so no problem getting stuck in the sand. She stopped whenever she thought she saw a good-looking shell. We got 2 bags full of shells. (We shared one bag with the 2 sisters that we took with us; they did not go on the mule train.) She took us through the whaler's village with old houses; very interesting. Sister Jones had served on Harker's Island and wanted to stop and say "hey" to some of the folks. Still got home at 3 p.m.; time to shower and rest before FHE. Picked up Tyrei and Hawa, a new investigator who was born in Liberia but has lived most of her life in the US. The activity was ultimate frisbee; thankfully we had our chairs along.

Tuesday was Happy Birthday to my eternal companion. It was a lazy day to make up for yesterday. Walked in the muggy, humid air. It had rained during the night and it was like steam coming off the ground. Got to 93 degrees and 59% humidity. Got information from the mission office on how to do the missionary apartment inspection. Had a late lunch at Logan Roadhouse, very good food, lots of beer signage. Went to Trade It to see where Stevon worked and bought a clock radio for $2.99. I tried to make a couple of appointments for later in the week; only got one, but one for next week too. The G2 sisters brought cookies and sticky noted the door. It was sweet – and the cookies were good. Also a handmade note for birthday and Father's Day. They asked if they could ride with us to zone conference on the 20th in New Bern. Also wanted info on foot-and-mouth disease!

Felt so good to do water aerobics Wednesday. Visited with a member and gave her the intro to Book of Mormon and a book to give to someone. Worked on 5-minute talk on Christ-like attribute that we are to be ready to give at district meeting Friday. We bought a Sam's Club card and some groceries and gas. Decided if we had to buy bulk food for YSA, we would need a card. Took some of Dan's suits to the dry cleaners; as often as he wears them, he needs to get them cleaned a little more often than twice a year! Fixed french toast for supper and Dan had to fry some bacon to go with it. Picked up Hawa for Institute; Tyrei not a home. Talked about different aids in the scriptures that can help us. Then a volleyball game got started afterwards, so we stay awhile and watched.

Set the alarm for 4:45 so I would have time to shower, fix hair and makeup, etc. Woke up at 5; no alarm had gone off. A tender mercy of the Lord that I awoke spontaneously. Had to get Elder Terrill to Portsmouth by 8:45; left at 6. It rained most of the way there and back. Got so bad that we had to slow down to 30 mph for a while. Then the GPS did a turn around and we wasted 15 minutes. Lucky to only be one minute late! The air conditioner went screwy, too; cold then warm, then water dribbling on my foot. Something not right. Elder Dumont is the new elder from Utah. We got to know a little about him on the way back. The YSA sisters wanted us to get Josette, an investigator, for a 4 p.m. meeting at the church. We got back at 3, so we said okay. At 4 she said she couldn't but could at 6.  At 6 she was not there. So we went home a little disgruntled.

District meeting was good on Friday; two new elders to introduce, E. Dumont and E. Lind, the new zone leader. We announced we would be doing apartment checks this month. Took Ritz crackers, cheese sticks, celery and carrots for treats. Picked up Dan's suits. Went to Sam's Club to buy lettuce and olives for Sunday. Took YSA sisters to Tyrei's graduation. I took my umbrella and two blankets, cause I thought it was going to be outside. It was inside where they play basketball at ECU. Not too long of a graduation, but when we got out, it was pouring rain. I got out my umbrella and handed a blanket to the sisters and wrapped one around us. Could not find Tyrei, so headed to the car. Just as we were entering a tunnel, a clap of thunder and lightning hit at the same time and shook us up some. Took about half an hour to get out of the parking lot; every grad must have had 5 cars that came to see him graduate! Rain had stopped by the time we got home.

Up early and walked, then got ready to go cook hot dogs in Havelock. Got a call from Bro. Walker just as we were leaving the building; tournament canceled. Havelock got 2 inches of rain and the ball field was unplayable. So then he called again and told us to come to Kinston and get the hot dogs, buns, chips and soda to feed to the YSA. Got to his home a few minutes before he did (he was half way to New Bern when he got the call) and loaded up the food. Then followed him to church and helped unload more soda and water to take to Palmyra trip. There was a hot dog steamer at the stake center that Bro. Walker said we could take and use if we would clean it up. It was filthy. Dan took it apart and cleaned it good; put some of the parts in the dishwasher. He even took the dishwasher apart and found a couple pieces of glass and plastic wad wound around the arm, so it should wash dishes better. I made a batch of banana choc chip bars and used all my butter, so went to Walmart to buy some groceries and check out prices of zipper-closure plastic bags for mattresses for bed bug infestation. Could not find interceptors (cuplike plastic containers to trap bugs), so studied it online and found some at amazon.com. Amazing what you can find online!

Sunday was Happy Father's Day! While I got ready, Dan started loading things into the car: hot dog cooker, food, etc. Branch council went good. Had a good sacrament meeting. One of the lesser active members was there; we were so happy to see him. Dan and I started preparing meal during 3rd hour. Tyrei got the Aaronic Priesthood, ordained to office of priest. He was very happy and so were we. Had salad with cold chopped chicken, spinach, carrots, celery, zucchini, sunflower seeds, olives, jalapenos, cheese, dressing. Plus Dan cooked about 80 hot dogs. Fed about 40 people. Lots of help cleaning up; so glad. Tyrei starts working in the tobacco fields Monday through Friday; home on weekends. Got online with Eliza and DJ and families and chatted. Talked a few minutes with Lena; hope she is feeling better. Deana called later after her kids had left to go home. They had had a good visit. Chatted a few minutes with Ed; he was not at home to hang out. I love all my children and grandchildren; hope everyone enjoys my ramblings. We get to go to girls camp tomorrow with the G2 sisters. The sisters are doing a missionary presentation for the girls. Fun and games! Enjoy your week. We will try to survive the heat and humidity! Elder & Sister Steffler