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