October 6

I am a day behind, but for a good reason – we went on a trip over the weekend. But let me start at the first of the week.

Elders quorum was reorganized with Clark Jones as president and counselors are Blake Howard and Shane Whaley. Had three talks for sacrament meeting – all on preparing for general conference. I don't remember the emphasis put on general conference at home like they do here. Sunday School was Amos and how we are thankful for prophets. Two new counselors in Relief Society: Jessica Walker and Emily Jenkins. Had a good discussion about women's conference: the oil of preparedness (spiritual) and God loves you as you are NOW! I keep thinking, I would love myself more if I would lose some weight – but God loves me now. I have to learn to do that.

Monday walked in 100% humidity and could hardly breathe, the air was so thick! This was not our usual P Day – we got dressed in our usual clothes with E. Steffler in a suit. Picked up the G2 sisters and headed to New Bern (about an hour's drive) where Pres. Baker streamed "Meet the Mormons." All the missionaries in our stake were there. Very interesting. Showed clips of a black bishop, candy bomber from WWII, engineer from Nepal, a couple from Costa Rica, the coach of Navy football team, and a woman who sends her son on a mission to South Africa -- he is half black. Had lunch at Golden Corral then headed home. Asked a member, Stevon, to takes photos at FHE cause they were playing crab soccer. It was hilarious! Then they played human foosball, then volleyball! I don't think they ever get tired. Maybe tired, but not enough to quit! Bought some birthday cards at Target because we have a few coming up in October.

Tuesday was a good workout and soak in hot tub. Did laundry and made bread. Found a cockroach just inside the front door and E. Steffler ground it up in the food disposal! Dan was an investigator for G1 sisters who needed to decide if he wanted to be baptized. In the afternoon I got a perm; it took 2 1/2 hours with two people working on my hair. It was a little short around the edges. Made our creamy chicken enchiladas verde for supper with 2 members. They enjoyed the meal then had our talk. Got Mallory to give Nikki the Book of Mormon, although she was reluctant. But she did fine! The YSA sisters dropped by after they left and we chatted about half an hour and decided to meet again tomorrow. Told them that when we got to FHE Monday, there were 3 nonmembers chatting, waiting to get in to FHE. The sisters did not realize the one was not a member.

Wednesday was a beautiful autumn day – water aerobics with NO rain! Read D&C 107, long and very interesting. A tidbit in the middle about Adam and all his posterity down to Noah and how old they were when ordained to the priesthood. I was an investigator for the YSA practice and we went over the baptismal questions. Used Elijah and the widow who fed him as putting the Lord first – encouraging her to be strong and tell her parents she is getting baptized. She is so afraid to tell them. Tomorrow we will meet to hash out some details on the Pitt Community College Fest. We have a booth and have to decide what we are going to do. Drove about 20 miles to discover 2 less actives – both are gone. Had an institute committee meeting that went well. Covered D&C 20-28 in class.

Thursday was a good day for a walk. Read scriptures with Joanna D-Auria – Mosiah 3. Discussed some questions she had. Had a hot dog at Sam's and filled up the gas tank, preparatory to our trip. Had our meeting about the Fest upcoming Oct. 8. Decided we might need a banner, and a member of the branch owns a business, so headed out to find him, but he was not at the business. So they will get together with him later. Headed to Sweet Frog for some yogurt – where we saw the car. Maybe pimp mobile is a little strong; we are seeing more of the large tires like that. Found out that the mango yogurt is really strong! May not try that one again. We started packing for our trip. Then took the sisters 2 loaves of bread to take to zone meeting Friday (and honey butter). Packed the Ensign and lesson 8 from Kim to read while Dan is at priesthood session. I made pumpkin cookies with the leftover pumpkin to take and share with the missionaries we will see.

Up early Friday. (Happy Birthday to grandson Tayler – #18!) We were going to exercise, but I was too antsy to get on the road. It was 9:30 before we finally left – and we were mostly packed! Went to the Outer Banks to do some sightseeing and be tourists. Had to go see Grave Digger – about 30 miles further down the road. Took some photos, but was not impressed with the gift shop. So went to our next stop: National Air Museum. It had a great gift shop! Got all my Christmas shopping done for the grandkids! Our Golden Age Passport got us in free, so that was good. While I shopped, Dan looked at all the displays. Had a model of the plane the Wright Brothers flew. Also had the flying strip marked out for the four trial runs they took. Drove around the loop to see the sculptures and hill (Kill Devil Hill) that they used. Then we found our motel – the Outer Banks Inn. We were on the third floor and no elevators! Pool was not heated. So I was a little bummed. There was a shuttle bus to take us to the ocean, but we didn't take it. Instead we went to eat at the Colington Café. Very nice (and expensive). I had chicken breast with raspberry mustard sauce. Dan had grilled tuna with jalapeno sauce and tenderloin medallions with salsa (they had a fancy name, but that is what it was!). Shared a piece of chocolate cake that was yummy.

On the road by 8 a.m. Saturday to make the ferry crossing at 10:30 at Bayview. It takes you across the river to Aurora. It's not much faster than driving, but it was a new experience we wanted to try. We got there with 5 minutes to spare! We drove on a scenic highway, but mostly trees. One side was a swamp with dead white trees, like maybe there had been a fire in some distant past. We realized we would not get to the second ferry crossing in time, so we took the road to Havelock. Got to the church about 12:10 so missed opening prayer and song, but caught the tail end of Pres. Monson's welcome. Talks on what way are you facing to follow the right voice. Took the Havelock elders to lunch between sessions to Hwy 55, for burgers and fries. Shared pumpkin cookies frosted with caramel frosting. Back at the motel, on the second floor and no elevator. Should be getting use to that. E. Steffler decided to watch priesthood session on the laptop. Well, it froze during the opening song. Should be used to that, too! We did read a couple of chapters in BOM to make up for it. Also we went to Subway to buy sandwiches for Sunday. Kept the lettuce and dressing separate from the bread and meat.

Sunday got to sleep in and it felt good. Had a better breakfast than for Saturday. Found ants all over the counter in the bathroom; that was a bummer. I may have drunk a couple taking my meds. Yuck! Didn't notice them until later. Left Havelock about 9:30 and drove to Morehead City then to Atlantic Beach. Walked on the beach! Finally! The tide was going out so the sand was wet and firm. Walked quite a distance before turning back. Dan was picking up shells. Saw several horseshoe crabs (dead) on the beach. Someone was picking them up to take home to shellac and sell them. Yuck! It was a lovely cool morning with just a slight breeze. A sweater felt good. Drove to the Visitor Center in Morehead City to change into church clothes. About 20 or so in attendance at the church. Sis. Reece had bought sandwich fixings with chips and drink. She said she has done it for years because the missionaries can't go buy something on Sunday. There are 6 missionaries in Morehead City. We knew a couple of them. The sisters brought a peanut butter-chocolate pie someone had given them to share and I frosted more cookies. It was a feast! Then drove to Harkers Island to watch the afternoon session. Only two elders there, so we joined them. Frosted 6 cookies and they ate them all. Had a nice drive home. Glad we had Miss Naggie our GPS, because I was thoroughly turned around. Stopped at the rest area by Vanceboro to finally eat our Subway sandwiches. Home by 8:30 and unpacked. A good trip.

So today is our wedding anniversary. We had decided to go somewhere in celebration; finally made it to the beach, plus we met some great missionaries and members. Definitely worth it!

Hope y'all enjoyed conference as much as we did. Liked the Lego temple that Nate built and Tina posted on facebook! Lots of comments on the talks. We are flooding facebook, that's for sure! Our testimonies continue to grow as we experience teaching and learning more. I have found that I can live without tv and radio. But the first thing we did at the motels was turn on the tv! I am pretty disgusted with myself. Need to repent. God bless all of you who take the time to read these ramblings. We are enjoying our mission probably more than we should! Til next week, watch which path you are on! Love, Elder and Sister Steffler