June 8

June 1 was fast Sunday so of course it was Break-the-Fast day, too. I was up early to turn the oven on. We had wrapped 40 potatoes and put them in the oven ready to be baked. After 1 1/2 hour, took them out and put in the insulated cooler on wheels (thanks Lena!) then cooked 2 cobblers in dutch ovens – chocolate cake with cherries and yellow cake with blueberries; both yummy. Loaded up everything at 9 plus ice cream, Sonic ice, cheese and chili and headed to church. Left hot things in the car and took cold things inside to the frig. Had to leave branch council early to do the pick up. And there stood Ted and Becky Rudder! Talked to them for 10 minutes then had to go. Soo good to see someone from home! Tyrei got confirmed and even bore his testimony. Good turn out to sacrament meeting; some even stayed for the meal. Didn't have many leftovers from the meal: 5 potatoes (that was after we baked 10 more in the oven at church). YSA eat until it's gone!

Pools were out of commission Monday, so just did our workout. Cleaned apartment and shopped for groceries and sheets for the spare mattress in the spare bedroom – just in case someone comes to visit! Drove out to get more strawberries and they were done! So when the jam is gone, it's gone. FHE was at Nikki's backyard. Ice cream with toppings and playing soccer and Frizbee. When is was dark, turned on movie Frozen, but most of the YSA played in the dark (eventually turned on an outside light).

Tuesday invited Sisters Jasperson and Bunker to lunch. S. Jasperson showed me how she had organized her conference talks. She is very organized! Dan grilled steaks and we steamed squash and fried leftover potatoes. And strawberry jam and bread. Then we took off for Raleigh to go to the temple. Miss Naggie (GPS) took us on some back roads that we won't take again! Almost to the temple and road construction: one lane road with flaggers and cars backed up about a mile. Got there at 3:30 and the session was at 6! What do you do when it is 90 degrees and no way are you getting back on that road? We walked around the temple (took about 5 minutes – it is very small) then sat at the entrance until someone came out and let us in about 4:30. It was so cool and nice inside. It was wonderful to be in the temple again. We were home by 10 so only about 2 hours.

Pool was finally back in service so Wednesday was a water aerobics day. It was deliciously cool; Dan said it was plain cold. Humidity up and cloudy; so dry, the corn is shriveling up. Practiced some piano before driving to Farmville to visit an active sister. Her family owns quite a bit of land and it is filled with old cars they want to restore and her dad has a lovely garden – awesome. We picked up Tyrei for Institute and the sisters had another investigator who wanted to come so we found her and brought her too. Hawa was born in Lyberia but has been in the states most of her life. Had 3 new sign-ups, about 13 in all. Lena called with an update about happenings in Nampa; thanks! Scottie is living with Jessica and Jake in Lena and Torish's house that has been remodeled and looks wonderful.

Thursday we walked late and the humidity was way up. Visited another sister in Farmville and on the way we saw lightning flash ahead of us. Started to rain as we went inside and about 10 minutes later the wind was howling and hail was bouncing on the grass. Power went off while we were reading in Book of Mormon with her; but we persevered. Storm was over when our lesson was over; quite a lot of debris on the roadway and in the yards. Took an inactive to supper at Golden Corral because I didn't want to cook. The YSA sisters were waiting for us at the apartment and we talked about our Monday trip to Harker's Island. We will need to leave about 6:45 so we can be back about 3 p.m.

Friday woke up to 77 degrees. Had to hurry and bake 2 cakes for zone meeting. Dan cut up a pineapple and cleaned grapes. Frosted a chocolate cake and smoothed strawberry jam over a yellow cake then topped with Cool Whip and a dollop of jam. Only 3 pieces of choc cake left and we gave them to the Woodington sisters. It was for E. Geddes and S. Romney's birthdays and of course E. Steffler's which is Tuesday! (Hint, hint!) Zone meeting is always good; had some good ideas on how to get an investigator to come to church and how to extend the invitation. Got my talks organized in my folders in the afternoon. Dan got our route figured out for Monday. He wrote the purpose of our mission on 3x5 cards so we would memorize it: Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. See page 1 in Preach My Gospel.

Because we will be gone Monday, Saturday became the laundry, shopping, making bread day. Took a loaf with us to missionary correlation meeting and gave to our new leader. Stayed to help the sisters with a discussion and then gave a church tour. E Steffler was telling about each picture and when he showed the First Vision picture, he bore strong testimony of its truthfulness. The Spirit was very strong and witnessed of the truth. Then went to lunch at Noodles & Co.; very good. Took Tyrei to the film on the Restoration. Elders had Nerds and microwave popcorn for us. I always cry during the Joseph Smith story. Then the YSA sisters gave Tyrei the lesson on priesthood. Dan got his first birthday card: THANKS MAIKE! It was on handmade paper and sent from Laos. She may perform with the circus there. She has posted some awesome pics on facebook.

Another week over and a busy one ahead. Hope this finds everyone well. We will hang out next Sunday at 7 mountain time. Don't forget! Love to all, E. and S. Steffler