August 10, 2014

It has been a crazy slow-busy week. It started out wild with Break the Fast. We were up early getting the hamburger stew cooking. Then to branch council and leaving early to pick up Tyrei, who was not ready because he didn't get my text. Barely made it for meeting. Not a lot of youth there. I think August is going to be our slowest month because it seems like everyone is going on vacation. It was raining, too, so that may have kept kids who lived far away from coming. We got everything set up during 3rd hour. There was our stew, homemade chicken noodle soup, Brunswick stew and a whole big pot of chili. Kipp does not know how to make a small amount of chili, and it was really good. Had lots of desserts, too, which always helps. We are reading in D&C, Book of Mormon, Ensign articles and listened to Mormon Channel Legacy on Harmony, Pa. DJ told us about the hike the boys took in the Sawtooths and I want to see photos. He is deep sea fishing this week off the Oregon Coast. His girls sang "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission" with the youngest, Taylor, playing the piano!

Monday was a cool day for the pool, but it felt good after our workout. Cleaned the apartment then went to 5 Guys for burgers. Shopped for refills to my Journal – Staples, Dollar General, Walmart, no luck. Bought some groceries at Walmart. When I went to make bread, there was not enough applesauce! So will have to shop again. Had a nice talk with Eliza. She was tired from working 6 hours. FHE was a movie "Little Rascals." Only about half way through and the guys wanted to start playing volleyball. There were too many to play regular volleyball, so played King of the Hill. 4 in a group on each side, first to drop the ball is out and another 4 goes in. It moves really fast and the kids had a good time.

Water aerobics in cold water – again! No rain, but felt like it. Made bread for all our guests: G2 elders in morning and 3 from YSA branch in the evening. Melted chocolate and coated strawberries; cooked a package of chicken and made chicken enchiladas with salsa verde. Also cooked corn on the cob. One of our guests brought a yummy brownie, chocolate pudding, whipped cream parfait. After dinner talked about Palmyra. Showed pictures in BOM and gave each a book to give away. Decided to order refill for Journal from the MTC. $2 for 100 pages, so ordered 3 for $6; $5 postage!

A nice walk in the morning on Wed. G2 sisters didn't get here until 12:30 because of a conference call. Warmed up leftovers.
A good lesson practice. Sister Whetten is gaining confidence and is bold. Then asked the sisters to jump our battery, which is dead. Took it to Hasting Ford and bought a new one: $146! Then headed to Raleigh to the temple. Sure glad Miss Naggie (GPS) was working because we changed major highways about 5 times. New film is being shown all of August. Nice ride home.

Thursday we lazed around and were late getting to fitness center. Then had to hustle to get to Woodington by noon. Took lunch with us for the Woodington sister (about hour drive south of Greenville), since there is no restaurant nearby. The church has a cemetery in the back parking lot; first church that I had seen like that. Evidently the folks that sold the land to the church made it a stipulation to keep the cemetery intact. Had to take several photos. For lunch we had homemade bread and strawberry jam, natural peanut butter, celery, pineapple, the last of the chocolate-covered strawberries and banana chocolate chip bars. The sisters brought a chocolate meringue pie to share. One of the sisters had had a birthday Monday. We talked about the YSA in Woodington and actually drove to meet one. She watches her grandmother who has alzheimer's so she was home. She had gone to Palmyra on the Woodington bus (it is a large ward that covers a large area). Wandered through the woods and farmland to find another YSA that has been attending our branch and presented him with a BOM and he even knew who he was going to give it to! It was a nice day for driving and visiting. Drove 100 miles.

Water was warmer Friday – sunshine works! District meeting was good. We took treats of crackers, grapes, pineapple and Go Gurts (frozen). The missionaries love us! We enjoy feeding them. Went to D'Aurias to read BOM and talk about Plan of Salvation. 1 Nephi 12 tells the whole BOM in a nutshell. Drove to an investigator's home and he was not home. Should have reminded him of the visit. Had YSA sisters to supper: leftover chicken, potatoes and peas and corn on the cob. Talked about another investigator but did not connect with him. Did some arbitrating of obits from NC!

Slept in Saturday and didn't walk until 8:30, then had to hurry to make blueberry cobbler to take to 10 a.m. baptism. It was a young girl from G1 and lots of people showed up for it. Also, looked like a BSA council workshop, so parking lot was full. Didn't need the cobbler (there was a table loaded with treats!) so we brought it home. Drove to post office and mailed a package to Shelley, ID. Made breakfast when we got back: link sausage, eggs and biscuits. Finished reading August Ensign. Read D&C and Sunday School lesson on Elijah. G1 sisters asked us to drive them to Havelock for exchanges on Tuesday, so we will have to reschedule G2 elders. Got 3 members coming for dinner Tuesday evening. Something to look forwad to!

Have enjoyed facebook this week too, the photos that were posted and comments. This is our only form of entertainment and we are probably online too much, but it is fun. We even get weather updates. Some of the photos made me homesick for mountains and clouds – and family, of course. We pray for each of you and want only good things for you. God bless our family and ward members back home, we love you all. The Stefflers