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!