September 28, 2014

Week in review, Sept. 21-27

No branch council, so slept in! That does not happen often. No rides to give; wow – like regular church. The sister missionaries spoke on – guess what? You got it, missionary work. Then a newly returned missionary talked. He had served in the Pocatello Idaho Mission! He was in Stanley and the temperature was –40 and he was complaining to his parents. They said his cousin, serving in Siberia, was experiencing –60 so quit complaining! Napped and read in D&C in the afternoon, then booked motels for Wed. night and next weekend at the beach! Had to get motels next week so we could watch conference at local church houses – I don't trust our laptop; it kept freezing last time we tried streaming.

Walked Monday morning and started cleaning and baking. Used up 2 overripe bananas and make banana chocolate-chip muffins. Then made a batch of bread, mopping the floors in between resting times. Dan was vacuuming when he got a call from the hearing aid place in Raleigh. The speaker had just arrived so we would not get it for about 3 days. So as soon as the bread was out of the oven, we took off for Raleigh – 1 3/4 hour drive. When we got back, had 2 hours to rest before heading out to pick up Tyrei for FHE. The YSA played board games and some of them were hilarious. Then they played volleyball until 9:30 and then we left. Sampled a piece of bread when we got home – and it was NOT good. I don't know what went on; probably had something to do with multitasking and added too much water. I added more flour but it was still a slurry. I baked it anyway and not good. So that batch got tossed. That hurt!

Made it to the fitness center Tuesday then to hot tub. Notice, NO pool; way too cold. Busy all morning in the kitchen baking pumpkin cookies, making meatloaf and au gratin potatoes and chicken. Then the G1 sisters came for practice lesson and lunch. Sis. Bunker gave the Plan of Salvation and did pretty good; had cute cut-outs of each step. After lunch and a nap, I made another batch of bread and was very watchful of what ingredients and how much I used. Had correlation meeting and picked up a few items at the grocery story; not the time to go shopping, right at rush hour. Had a good meeting with missionaries, stake counselor over missionary work and president of the branch. Had two YSA to dinner; leftover meatloaf, potatoes, chicken and steamed veggies. Yes, we eat pretty good. Did the Book of Mormon pictures and Palmyra and gave each a book to give away.

Wednesday was my Deana's birthday! It was raining when we got up and continued through water aerobics. The complex has two pools and we found out Monday that the other pool was heated, so that's where we were – in the rain! Made pumpkin bread with whole wheat flour; it made a lot. Should have made a batch of muffins instead of two loaf pans. YSA missionaries came for practice and lunch. No cute pictures, but they did a good job. Gave them pumpkin cookies to take for treat at Institute. Headed out to Raleigh to take the hearing aid back, again! It stopped working, the same one as before. We dropped it off and headed to Richmond VA and then to Williamsburg. It rained the entire way! Not fun. Had a reservation at Sleep Inn and were grateful to rest. Had a bowl of soup at Cracker Barrel then watched some TV: Discovery Channel's Pickers, they look for junk to resell. Decided we had not missed much by having no TV!

Thursday first thing we had to deliver a loaf of bread to an elder who had served in Greenville and only had 10 days before going home. He was enthusiastically thankful! He always raved about my bread. Then we rushed to Visitors Center to buy tickets to get into some of the colonial buildings and met up with the rest of the senior missionaries. We started out together and went to the church and took several photos. Then the group kind of broke up and we toured the Wyeth house and gardens then the Capitol Palace. Everything is as close to the original as possible. Quite ornate considering the era in which it was built. Met up with the couples again to have lunch and chat and learn more about each other. It was fun; there is another couple in North Carolina now, and only 30 minutes away. There are a lot of senior couples that work with the military and several who work in the mission office. Headed for Greenville after lunch; it took about 4 1/2 hours. Our tickets will allow us to return as many times as we want for the rest of the year. We want to go back at Christmas; heard they really deck things out – in a colonial sort of way!

Friday another workout day and hot tub. Felt good to soak in the hot water after driving about 10 hours the last couple of days. Took pumpkin bread to district meeting to share with the missionaries. The theme was the baptismal service. Headed back to the apartment and free appreciation lunch by the apt complex. Then went to a member's home and read BOM with her. We actually got through Jacob, so we are progressing! Went shopping to Sam's Club, but not for gasoline this time! Found a jelly roll pan; now I can make a pumpkin roll! Read Lesson 7 that Kim sent on D&C. His notes are very interesting and in depth. Thanks, bro! Eliza made a page of us with our filled-up car just before we left for the MTC. Thanks, Eliza. I had not seen those photos before.

Saturday was water aerobics, but NOT in the rain this time. Much better, even though it was only 58 degrees outside. Read in BOM trying to get caught up to Jacob. Decided not to participate in Walk & Talk that the younger missionaries are doing each Saturday until Thanksgiving. Instead we had a burger at 5 Guys, Dan got his hair cut and got a few items at the grocery store that Sam's didn't have then to Sweet Frog for a dish of yogurt. Sounds like a P Day to me! Went to the Women's Conference – alone. E. Steffler went with me last time, but not this time. It was really weird not having him with me. I loved all the talks, preparing for the temple and God's love for us. Left feeling spiritually uplifted. Thought about all my granddaughters who were old enough to go with their moms; what a treat! I did my small plates of note taking.

This next week promises to be fun – we are going to the Outer Banks for our wedding anniversary – 47 this year. Wow. Seems like a dream passing before my eyes, forever, yet not. Love my eternal companion! And my family and friends! God bless all of you! Elder and Sister Steffler