July 27

Sunday, July 20, Elder Steffler and I took an investigator to Kinston for a baptismal interview. He said she would have to wait to be baptized (she was scheduled for July 26), but that he would talk with Pres. Baker and he would make the final call. We got back to Greenville for classes. We wanted to see Florence get confirmed in the G2 ward, so we went to sacrament meeting. Sister Jasperson bore her testimony (yet again) as she is going home tomorrow. We fixed a sandwich then watched facebook for the posted photos and videos – they were awesome. Thanks family for sharing! I loved the one of Justin going down on his stomach face-first. DJ and Ed outdid themselves. We read an Ensign article and our Book of Mormon reading; even talked and planned our week ahead. Got a call from Sister Bunker saying she needed a ride to trainers' training at the mission office in Portsmouth on Thursday, so that takes care of that day.

We were up early Monday and had our exercise done by 8, but the hot tub was not hot – it was cold! Cleaned apartment, shopped in the rain and made bread. For FHE Nikki was in charge and wanted to do the karaoke thing we did on the bus. Blindfold, find a song that only they can hear and belt out the words. Just about everyone there participated. It took some persuading but even Tyrei and Kierra performed. The sisters arrived and announced that Kierra could be baptized Saturday! Happy day! Pres. Baker okayed it. Sister Jones who will be transferred to Washington on Thursday would even be allowed to come to it. We took a loaf of bread to the sisters (since Sis. Romney and Jones are being transferred) and let Sis. Jones pick a trinket from the sack (Indian artwork).

Tuesday was a cool water aerobic workout since it has rained a bit. Our usual practice session with the G2 elders got changed because Elder Lancaster (who is being transferred) wanted to eat together at a Mexican place. My stomach was acting up again – it may be the tight waistband in my skirt! Picked a tomato off my little plant that is loaded and found another one on the ground. Must have been too heavy or too many on the plant. Decided to go for a ride. We wanted to find corn on the cob and thought we would have to go to the country. After filling up at Sam's Club, we went to a little stand nearby that sold everything we wanted. Then E. Steffler mentioned that there was a place in Tarboro that sold Traegers; would I like to take a ride there and look? Absolutely NOT! His brother Terry had just bought a small one and E. Steffler had been online checking out where he could find one. Talked with Lena and Liza. Liza had taken Elinore and Lydia to Logan to the opera and seen Oklahoma and Les Mes. Got home at 1:30!

Wed. we walked in 73 degrees and 94% humidity; humid all day – ugh. Had the G2 elders to a practice lesson and lunch. I fixed a cutesy salad of lettuce leaf, tomato and cottage cheese on a plate. E. Terril hates cottage cheese and E. Dumont does not like tomatoes, so that flopped! They made up for it with corn on the cob, fish sticks, fried potatoes and bread. Got our first Ensign that we ordered and had to look through that, plus an announcement and letter from a friend, Mary Berry. She and Bill are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday. She was my matron on honor at my wedding. So I sat right down and wrote her an email. It was so good to hear from her. Institute that night. Found out we don't have to go to mission office Thursday; there are 4 sisters getting trained, so they are going in the van.

Thursday: Happy Pioneer Day! Another workout day with more humidity. Decided the strawberries we bought Monday would not last until Saturday, so we made a batch of jam – darn! Bought them for 3/$5; the ones we bought to replace were 2/$6! Drove 30 miles to the south of Kinston to pick up leftover chocolate. Drove in a downpour coming home. We needed chocolate and strawberries because Kierra said that is what she wanted for her baptism refreshments. Finally felt good enough for my birthday dinner. We went to Logan's Roadhouse. Atmosphere leaves something to be desired, but the food is good. Visted with a member of the branch who lives in Ayden. He was raised around here and went on a mission to Cleveland Ohio; Kirtland was part of his mission. Interesting discussion.

Friday the water was cool again after the rainfall. Had to cut up fruit for district meeting: pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe. Made fruit kabobs. E. Steffler said the elders wouldn't care, but I said the sisters would! 3 new sisters and 1 elder in our district. Decided to melt the chocolate when we got home. Set the time at 5 minutes and at 4 minutes I had burnt chocolate and a hole in the plastic bowl! So then we had to go buy more chocolate. A learning curve here. The instructions on the dipping chocolate said to heat in microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. No wonder the catastrophe at 4 minutes! Filled 2 cookie sheets with strawberries dipped in chocolate. Met our new upstairs neighbors: from Seattle and are Jehovah's Witnesses. Should be interesting.

Walked in humidity again Saturday, but we finished reading the Book of Mormon! It was so different reading it quickly and praying before we read each time. I underlined much more than I had ever done. Now to write a page about what we learned about the atonement. Then at 12:30 I decided to make a batch of brownies. Sis. Jones was going to bring a batch of cookies to the baptism and I was afraid one batch wouldn't be enough. So we took the 2 cookie sheets of strawberries and batch of brownies cut up into small pieces and headed to the church. We plated the berries on a pretty plate; Sis. Jones arrived and didn't have time to make cookies. Tender mercies of the Lord – I have made brownies, just in case. And they were a hit with the chocolate covered strawberries. Kierra's dad brought her to the baptism, along with a friend. Had several investigators who had come with other missionaries plus several from the branch. A good baptism, good talks, good refreshment. Doesn't get much better than that! Today was Sister Bunker's birthday so we took her and her new companion Sis. Whetten to Logan's. The food is really good. We asked if they wanted to practice on us and they said of course, so the G2 elders on Tuesday and G2 sisters on Wednesday, followed by lunch, of course. Then Thursday we are going to read BOM and teach a sister in G1. So our mornings are filling up; now to find something to do in the afternoons.

As you can see, we are staying fairly busy and loving the work. We love working with the missionaries and branch members. It's all good. E. Steffler says: Finishing the BOM was awesome. I'm realizing more and more how much power the book has. It can and does change lives – for the better!

God bless all of you; we love you and God loves you. Never forget that. Elder and Sister Steffler

Fruit kabobs

Made for district meeting July 25.

Crepe myrtle

Our sidewalk view still flowers on trees.

July 19

Sister jasperson with us in a goodbye photo.

July 20

Sunday, July 13, we got to sleep in because there was no branch council! I think Pres. Lewis needed the sleep as much as we did (remember Palmyra trip last week). He got sick on the trip, but he was at church presiding and conducting. An awesome new sister in the ward, Jessica H., teaching school in Tarboro. Clark, Madison and Bro. Paries talked about the Restoration and the Palmyra trip. Had breakfast after church, then read two assignments in the Book of Mormon. We got behind because we didn't find any time to read on the trip. Got a postcard from Maike with birthday wishes (thanks!). She is in China visiting and touring with her sister. The YSA sister came begging for ingredients to make cookies (sugar, eggs, and chocolate chips). Of course we helped them out!

Monday we were still in recovery mode – slept in and finally made it to the pool, which we had to share with three others because we were so late. Read two more assignments from BOM and got caught up. We also got caught up on the Ensign reading that the stake has outlined for us. Can you tell we laid around and read a lot? Picked up Kierra for a lesson on Family History at the church. Then left to pick up Tyrei for FHE. They played human battleship. Never seen it played before, but they had fun. Then did human fuss ball. Hadn't seen that before either! Pretty intensive.

Tuesday up and walking, humidity not too high. Got ready to feed the G2 elders after a practice lesson. Had chicken, asparagas, salad, stuffing and brownies. Only got through half of Plan of Salvation. My stomach was still giving me an occasional ache. Listened to Mormon Legacy on Willard Bean the Fighting Parson, about Palmyra and how the church was able to purchase Hill Cumorah and several historical sites. He and his wife were called on a five year mission to Palmyra and ended up there for 25 years! It is quite a story and I would encourage anyone to read it: go to lds.org and in search engine type Willard Bean, Palmyra. Had rain off and on all day; went to bed listening to thunder, again.

Wednesday we went to work out and two guys were on the bike and tread mill, so we just did machines then sat in hot tub. Another rainy day, not as bad as what Rexburg had, though! No flooding here. Took car to Ford dealer to get oil changed and tires rotated; also get new filters. Didn't need a new air filter, but the cab filter was almost plugged. Dan fried a steak for lunch and we had sweet potato and corn on the cob – yummy! At institute committee meeting, we decided to have a closing social with pizza and salad – only two more classes. Made an announcement about Career Workshop and Tyrei and Kierra want to go.

Thursday early morning water aerobics – done by 8 a.m.! Read scriptures then made bread. I found that drinking hot water helped my stomach distress, also laying flat out in the recliner. Went to Sam's Club to gas up the car and buy a few items. I was out of honey, is that a good enough reason. Plus, we wanted to look for chocolate covered raisins, but no luck. Set some appointments for Friday and Saturday. Visited with the new move-in Jessica and took her a loaf of bread. She is teaching in a charter school in Tarboro. She lives in the apartment complex where we do and car pools to Tarboro, about 40 minute drive.

Had a nice walk, not too humid. Dan made a peach cobbler to take to district meeting (for my birthday and the district leader's on the 7th and a sister on the 26th). It was Sister Jasperson's last meeting; she bore her testimony then I had to say the closing prayer. Then we drove to Washington to do a walk-through with the elders' former apartment manager. It went okay (after we waited 1 1/2 hours for her). Someone has switched the bathroom ceiling tile that was broken so the broken part was next to the wall where it was not obvious. The elders had done a super job of cleaning. Had missionary correlation meeting then went home to make potato soup. The YSA sisters are doing an awesome job.

Saturday: Happy Birthday to ME! Thanks for all the mentions on fb. Got up at 6 a.m., no time to exercise because we had to pick up Kierra and Tyrei and get them to Kinston by 9 for the workshop. After waiting for 5 minutes at Kierra's, E. Steffler knocked on her door and woke her up! So we waited while she got ready. We made it in the nick of time then went to Subway to buy them Subway sandwiches for lunch, took them back to the church and put them in the frig. Then drove to a lady who wanted to meet us. She lives in the country south of town. She had made biscuits and gravy for breakfast, so we had to try some. She is an interesting lady; 4 boys, one out of house, one 17 and twins about 6 years old. Bro. Holliday from G2 was at workshop and he brought Tyrei and Kierra back to the church for a baptism at 5:30. We were able to do a Google Hang-out with our kids at their slip and slide they had set up at our house. It was awesome! See the pictures on fb. It was fun chatting with the kids and some of the grandkids. Teezha had gotten 5 wasp bites and was asleep, but Lena took the computer into the house so I could see her. She looks so grown up! All the grandkids did, even Justin with his black hair! All the missionaries wished me happy birthday (they were all at the baptism) and the YSA sisters had a homemade card with a poem for me. The G2 sisters brought by a pie to share and we took a picture. Sister Jasperson was the first missionary we met and she had fixed up the apartment and outfitted it with kitchen things. She is going home Monday and will be missed. Several transfers happening this coming week. All in all, it was a good day. A baptism always helps and Florence is special. She had three sisters tell their conversion stories and they were awesome. A spiritual feast, plus the brownies and apple cobbler helped, too!

The thing I would like to impress upon anyone reading this blog is that Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us. He will never give up on any of us, regardless of what we may have done. The three testimonies and Florence's own story testify of that. Never give up, never give up. God is always there wanting to help, we just need to ask. We love all y'all; we hope you know how much you are loved. We are loving this work and helping is this part of the vineyard. We are needed here and we love the missionaries and the YSA branch. God bless you. Elder and Sister Steffler

July 11, 2014

Picture taken at the Peter Whitmer farmhouse replica. The house was built on the original foundation using old timbers of the time period. There were not enough timbers to finish the house. Nearby a farmer had an old barn that he had been trying to take down. Every time he would work on it, his tools and equipment would fail. He tried burning it and it wouldn't burn. He offered it to the church if they would come take it down, which they did without trouble. Then they had enough material to finish the construction of the house. He was not a member (his neighbors referred to him as Norman the Mormon), but later joined the church because of his donation of the logs. He was the first one to take out his endowments at the newly built Palmyra Temple. Tender mercies of the Lord.

July 6

July 6 was cooler – and fast Sunday. That means break-the-fast day. Dan was up early and cooking hamburger for tacos. Gathered up olives, tortillas, hard taco shells, brownies, jalapenos, tomatoes and headed to branch council. Heard the funniest story: Bro. Jim Walker said he and Bro. Jones had gone fishing (I'm guessing deep sea fishing) and had filleted 220# of fish. It was in a cooler and they left it at Bro. Jones' until the next day. When he arrived the next day to pick up his share of fish, all that was left was a quarter-size piece with soy sauce on it. Bro. Jones is married to a Tongan, and they had a reunion of some sort and they had helped themselves to ALL of the fish – raw with soy sauce. No one had told the grandma that it was to be shared! Good testimony meeting; Tyrei passed sacrament for first time. Had a meeting with those going to Palmyra. The dinner included shredded chicken, guacamole, homemade salsa with all the stuff we took. They ate until it was gone! Encountered some of the logistics of 200 youth doing temple baptisms and having enough brethren to officiate.

Monday after cleaning the apartment and doing laundry we went shopping for rain ponchos and other various items. Had BLT sandwiches for supper, kind of: bacon on hot dog bun and spinach and tomatoes. At FHE they played games and had a cocolate fountain, but couldn't get the chocolate to melt, so dipped fruit, cookies, marshmallows, etc. The kids had fun and ate lots of stuff.

Tuesday workout and cool off in pool. Made bread while Dan picked up elders Terril and Dumont. They practiced Restoration on us as investigators. We threw them a couple of curves but they survived well. Then they went with E. Steffler outside to watch him grill steaks for lunch. I steamed squash and heated corn. Had potato salad, and of course, fresh bread and strawberry jam. Took them back to their apartment with lots of leftovers. After a nap and getting cleaned up, we met with Pres. Lewis and went to Tyrei's house to talk with his parents. Pres. Lewis wanted to personally assure them that we would take good care of their son. I think they were impressed that he was that concerned. It was a good meeting. Then we headed down Hwy 33 to Rocky Mount for our interview with Pres. Baker. (Missionary interviews were scheduled for Friday and we would be gone.) Rural country all the way. Got there early and met an elder who had been transferred from Greenville; good to see him again. His companion is from Meridian, ID. Had a good visit with Pres. Baker, gave them a loaf of fresh bread and invited them to dinner. Found an Outback Steakhouse which was good.

Wednesday we took advantage of the pool again, since we would not have a pool to enjoy on our trip. Did laundry (again!) then packed. Kept thinking of more things to take. The YSA sisters came by for leftovers and took two full bags. I made a batch cookies to take on the bus. Left at 7 to pick up Tyrei at his grandmother's house. She came out to give me her phone number and to call her when we got to New York. Got to Kinston at the stake center early – what a riot! Kids and suitcases everywhere. Not much organized chaos either. Finally got away at 11:15 – so much for the threat of leaving at 10! Picked up 3 kids at Roanoke Rapids, then a potty break at 2:30 a.m. and that took an hour by the time everyone visited the facilities (6 buses with 200 youth plus leaders).

Thursday for breakfast we stopped at McDonalds and half the bus had emptied to visit the potty when we found out it was the wrong McD's! The "real" one (where the food was) was 10 miles further down the road! Anyway, we got to Rochester to the Hyatt Hotel about 3, but the rooms were not ready. Another hour wait, then finally got to shower and get ready for the pageant. It was about half an hour's ride. We bought our own supper (choice of hamburger, cheeseburger, hot dog, salt potatoes or taco in a bag – very original: open a small bag of Doritos and add topping!) Groups of performers were working the crowd – part of their role as members of the cast. They had Books of Mormon and pamphlets and told what parts they played and where they were from, etc. A lot of families from the West come to the pageant to perform. We also met several senior couples, some working the pageant and others to see it, like us. The church family is small – we met several who we were able to connect with by town, state or family. See some of the pictures I took on facebook. The costumes are amazing, as were the effects. Performance lasted from 9:15-10:45, so it was late when we arrived back at the hotel.

Friday started early with a wake-up call at 6:15. Grabbed a McD breakfast and boarded the buses. The 6 buses were divided into 8 sessions at the temple, so it was an organizational nightmare! Our group visited the Whitmer farm first. There is a replica of the log house where the church was organized and a stake center that told some history and a visitors center where a video clip was shown (tear-jerker). Headed to Palmyra stake center where we left our temple clothes, had lunch and walked to the Smith farm house and to the Sacred Grove. The song Joseph Smith's First Prayer kept going through my mind as I walked the path into the Sacred Grove. It was quiet, the sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the mosquitoes were biting! I sat off the path on a bench to write in my journal and was attacked, so I left. It was a very sacred spot that I enjoyed until the bites started itching. E. Steffler sat on a bench and meditated while I walked out of the grove. Then he had to look all over for me. Not a happy camper. We walked back to the stake center (about 1/4 mile, uphill and it was hot), changed into Sunday dress and headed to the temple. It also was uphill, but not as far. It is so beautiful. From the road that goes up to the temple, you can look down at the Sacred Grove. It was holy ground. E. Steffler was a witness for the baptisms and I helped gather the wet jumpsuits and towels. We were there about 2 1/2 hours. Learned later that more than a 1,000 baptisms had taken place that day. Supper was pizza and soda and salad. Then a speaker, Bro. Pitts who is supervisor of security at Hill Cumorah, told some of the history and special stories associated with it. One of the groups of Indians that lived originally around Cumorah were called Watchers of the Hill – they didn't know why, but they knew it was a sacred place. They were of the Seneca tribe. Then the stake presidency spoke and some of the youth were called on to share testimonies and feelings from the day.

Wake-up call at 5:15 Saturday and I hadn't slept well, probably because of the pizza. My stomach hurt the whole way home. Hot chocolate and hot chicken noodle soup helped some. On the road at 6:45 a.m. and arrived in Kinston at 10:45 p.m. A long ride home. Traffic was worse during the day, so had to do some round abouts to avoid some of the traffic. D.C. was the worst congestion. We gave the two bus drivers a Book of Mormon each with testimonies written from the YSA and leaders, and some had some money to give as a tip. They were excellent drivers. I know of two accidents that they were able to avoid. It was so good to finally climb into bed. Didn't even bother to shower! And I needed to. Long trip, but so worth it. We could never have gone on our own for what we paid. Thanks to all who made that possible. The stake presidency had been working on this project for a year.

I feel so blessed to be on this mission and be able to attend events like this. As great as the pageant was, the history sites and temple and Sacred Grove were even better. Now I just have to heal up from the trip. My ankles are twice the size they should be and the bites are still swollen. But my testimony has grown of the truthfulness of the Restoration, Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. Our prayer is that all of you can have the same feeling of love of our Savior that we feel. We love all y'all! Elder and Sister Steffler

July 6

Had good meetings June 29. Got to stay for all of branch council, no one to pick up. But felt bad when Tyrei didn't come. Chatted a few minutes with Pres. and Sis. Baker before meetings. They had gone to the Bath pageant and had stayed overnight. I had to lead music with Sis. Lewis on the organ that has a mind of its own. Matt gave an excellent talk, as did Christina and Emily D. Her mom, a nonmember came to hear her talk; Christina had a nonmember friend come also. Went to Paries for dinner – tacos, very good. Sue had made blueberry bread pudding which was to die for! Branch council decided to do a taco bar next Sunday for break the fast. Watched a CES fireside talk by Elder Holland: we must not ever check our religion at the door, but stand up and declare our beliefs.

Up and walking and cleaning the apartment. Dan gave the bathroom a good scrub and I cleaned the oven and spot cleaned the carpet. Then we headed to Washington in search of an apartment for the elders. I had a list that I had gotten online. All that we saw are government subsidized and no vacancy. Kipp had given us a name and we got her answering machine, which said she worked at Coldwell Bankers. So we found Susan (realtor) and she told us that the tornado that happened about a month ago damaged some of the houses, so people moved out while repairs were made and that was why there are no apartments. She had two rental houses, one available now and another in about a month. So I emailed the info to E. Wilson to work out. We were asked to help give one of the Wash. sisters a blessing. She has had a migraine headache for about nine days. E. Steffler got to pronounce the blessing. Then we took the elders to lunch at Golden Corral. Got home about 5 and the YSA sisters asked us to pick up an investigator for a lesson and FHE. Wrote letters to the missionaries, had cookies and parfait and played volleyball.

Had our P day on Tuesday; Dan got a haircut, shopped at Target and Harris Teeter. Met a Susan who asked where we were from. She is meeting with the G2 elders and chatted about it for awhile. Got a called for E. Wilson to go look at a couple more houses in Wash. We texted the G2 elders that we had met Susan (from grocery store) and now we are taking them Saturday to an appointment with her and Paul. Made bread in the afternoon and offered to take some to institute Wed.

Wed. we headed to Wash. yet again! Pam and Barry showed us two empty houses. The second one was perfect for the elders, 1/2 block off a busy road and clean and neat. Back to Greenville to email E. Wilson. Today was 95 with high humidy. We are expecting some weather from tropical storm Arthur sometime around the 4th. No one to take to institute, just us and bread and jam and honey butter. Took two loaves and both were consummed.

Got cleaned up and into missionary attire then sat around the apartment most of the day. We did fill the gas tank at Sam's Club. Got interested in reading more family stories from the red book (thanks Sher!). Had rain about noon, a precursor for Arthur. Harker's Island recorded wind of 101 and 8 inches of rain with 3-5 foot storm surge. It got windy with more rain here in the evening, only 20-25 mph. But I'm not complaining! E. Steffler browned some pork ribs on the barby and we had a yummy dinner. Had a nice long chat with Edward. He had wondered how we were doing with the hurricane. He cleaned up some of the computer. Thanks, Bud!

Wondered if we would be able to do water aerobics Friday, but no problem. Cloudy and humid, but cleared by the time we got out. It was cooler than usual – 86 and Nampa got to 95! We had cantaloupe and pineapple already cut up and go-gurts in the freezer for zone meeting. Gave Sis. Jasperson an Indian trinket; she will be going home on the 20th. Learned about revelatory process and standards of excellence. Went to "How To Train Your Dragon 2." It was good; don't know about being better than #1. G2 sisters brought by our mission newsletter on their way to the fireworks downtown. We didn't budge; not interested in going.

Cooler weather Saturday so we enjoyed our walk a little more. Went shopping for food items for break the fast. Spent the afternoon reading. E. Terrill called and wanted us to pick them up after their appointment – had to pull into another apartment complex to get to the road where they were meeting. Took the long way to Which Wich for supper. Tried the chicken parm, but added olive sauce and it was green olives, yukkk. Went to Susan and Paul's for a lesson; it was very good. Susan had questions from her reading of the Book of Mormon. She made it through 2 Nephi (the Isaiah sections). Paul had lived for 20 years in Palmyra and was excited that we were going next week to the pageant. Got a phone call about helping with baptisms at the Palmyra Temple from Bro. Whaley, so guess we will see what that entails.

So looking forward to this coming week. Need to read up on the Restoration so we can fully enjoy the experience. Hope all is well at home. Glad DJ and crew made it back okay. This month we will contact each child separately to hang out and see if that goes better. There are some we haven't seen for a couple of months and we miss seeing them! We love each and every one of you and pray for you each night. God has been so good to us. We are loving our mission. Mom & Dad

p.s. sorry you have to see the pimp car three times – my fault!

 

Storm clouds

Rain has already started. Hurricane Arthur is approaching the coast.

High water car

Even cool cars need repaired.

High water car

Even cool cars need repaired.