November 16

It's official: 8 months on the mission. Somehow, I don't feel qualified yet as a "real" missionary.

Sunday, Nov. 9 was a "regular" Sunday: branch council at 9:30 a.m., choir practice at 10:30, church at 11. Got a new branch clerk and he spoke in sacrament meeting. No break the fast in December because the Christmas Party is the next evening. Finished Isaiah in Sunday School. Read the wrong lesson for Relief Society; it was the next one. We snacked when we got home from church then went to a dinner appointment. YSA sisters plus another couple from the ward was there to eat stuffed manicotti, frog-eye salad, Italian bread and blondies and carrot cake for dessert. Had good food, good company and good discussion. Sisters had a lesson on the atonement that touched all of us. Got a call from DJ and his girls when we got home. They sang "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission." It was touching and cute. Sisters got a home member lesson (meaning teaching a nonmember in a member's home). They are the best! The investigator can feel the spirit in the home which opens them to receiving the spirit into their lives.

Monday, since Dan was not working out because of his test later, I decided to try the pool one more time. It was about as cold as last time, only the recycled water coming into the pool was not as warm. The maintenance guys were in their shop, so we chatted with them a few minutes and asked about the "heated" pool. Was told that if it gets too cold, the heat pump stops because it can't keep up. So officially, the pool is NOT heated! Made another batch of bread; now have enough to take a loaf to each apartment that we will inspect Tuesday. Took a little lunch with us to Dan's appointment. The stress test was to take 3-4 hours. So I was all set for the long-term, in the car texting and eating my lunch, when Dan knocks on the window of the car. He is all done and it has not taken 2 hours! I don't know what that means; maybe that all the technicians just wanted to go home for the day! He said the test was not that bad – no fainting or dying on the tread mill. I had to drive home, but that was OK. FHE that evening was at the ice skating rink. Had about 25 YSA and 10 others show up. Took some photos and helped eat pizza. Jessica was one of the more experienced skaters; Roc was a true beginner, but he was trying! I was surprised at the number of first time skaters.

Tuesday was Veteran's Day. Fitness Center was busy and no soaking in the cold hot tub, either. Had the G1 sisters for a practice lesson on Word of Wisdom. I was drinking my cup of "coffee" and asking if they wanted some. They finally convinced me to give up my coffee and E. Steffler not to drink wine with his meals anymore. They said it might be hard, but if I go about it with a positive "can-do" attitude, it would be easier. Did missionary apartment checks in Kinston in the afternoon. Had five to check; the first 4 stayed pretty much on time, but the last one took 25 minutes just to get there! One of the five ovens was clean; encouraged the others to get 'em cleaned! Also did a furniture inventory and some of it was very creative. Like the chair whose bottom was gone so the elders took cardboard and duct taped it onto the chair. Or the computer chair with a broken back that was held in place by a bike chain. Glad we were able to do the inspections in one day. When we got home it took about an hour to make copies and get everything in 3 piles: one for me, one for the stake high counselor over missionaries and one for the mission office elder over housing. Had a nice talk with Eliza; love talking to family!

Wednesday was warmer than usual because it had rained during the night, so the humidity was about 100%. Temp rose to 77 degrees during the day! YSA sisters had a lesson on how to better teach members. Read a scripture and asked how it affected us and who we thought of. I thought of my family and the love I have for each child and grandchild and how each is living the gospel. The Spirit touched each of us; we are so blessed to recognize the spirit in our lives. The Lilywhites, senior couple from Washington visited with us for an hour or so about what we do and how to do apt inspections. Then we read Jeremiah for Sunday School. What a prophet; what a life he lead. Then rushed to the post office before it closed to mail the apt inspections to mission office. Then shopped at Sam's and Harris Teaters before institute. Sister Walker was back to teach after being gone for 3 weeks. Had a short meeting afterwards about stake conference and inviting all the YSA to attend. Even had a luncheon planned after. Called Teezha to sing happy birthday to her, but she was so wound up she could barely talk (she had not opened her presents yet).

Thursday I wanted to swim really badly, but talked myself out of it; did a workout instead. Decided to make pumpkin bread and a batch of bread when our appointment was canceled. So then we laid around waiting her to call after she returned home, but she didn't get home until the kids walked in the door; no lesson today. It was drizzly rain so we didn't want to go out hunting, so we laid around the apt the rest of the day. Watched the rest of women's conference and some BOM and Jeremiah. I got the Christmas presents divided up into families, and that was pretty much it. Felt like a slug; not a good feeling!

Walked in the cold with a little breeze and decided I needed to get my winter stuff lined up. Took pineapple, chips, salsa, Triscuits and canned cheese to district meeting. Focus was on feeling and identifying the spirit. Read scriptures and page 96 from Preach My Gospel and shared experiences. Lots of warm feelings of the spirit were shared. Elder Steffler told of his experience on his way home from his mission in South Africa and touring for 2 weeks. He was in Jerusalem for 2 days with 3 other missionaries and they got to visit the garden tomb. One missionary walked into the tomb and sat down on the ledge and said, huh, this is where Jesus laid. Elder Steffler could not even go inside because to him it was sacred ground. After the meeting and snacks, we laid around waiting for our member sister to call so we could read BOM together. I looked at my phone (that I had turned off during meeting) and she had called at 1 and I had not checked after meeting. I was pretty bummed. Sisters came by to ask if we knew a guy who would be willing to take a new investigator to a baptism of a child of record. We made a suggestion, and it turned out well for both of them! Had an appointment at 5, but he was a no show. Had breakfast for supper; yum. Had to put my liner in my winter coat; it felt really good!

Saturday I was glad we were not walking, because it was 29 degrees. Yeah, I know, that is warm considering –2! It did warm up to 46, though, and that felt balmy. We had a lunch appointment in Washington at noon and at 10:50 I saw a text from the elders' quorum president saying brownies would be great for their activity at 3! He had texted after we had gone to bed; I have to learn to check my phone more often. I hurriedly made a double batch of brownies in my large cookie sheet and in 30 minutes they were done and we took off. Got into Washington just a noon, so we made good time. Had lunch with a former sister who is going home in 10 days (also took her a loaf of bread) and her two companions, plus the senior couple in Washington. Had a cozy 7 at the table for lunch. She and another sister are training a new missionary. Elders' quorum pres was panicking about the hot dogs and cooker, so we told him we would take care of it. Picked up Tyrei for the elders' turkey bowl (flag football, sort of) and cooked hot dogs. Put them in a small cooler (?) to keep them warm and watched them play football. Guys just have a good time running around chasing a ball! Some of the guys were staying with a branch member who lived in town so they could make it to church Sunday. That is a big step! After we got home and were relaxing, got a call from G1 sisters; one of them was sick and requesting a blessing. So we called the G1 elders to help E. Steffler give the blessing. She was running a temperature and is diabetic, which is not a good combination. Made her call Sis. Baker to let her know the circumstances. She had been insistent that she didn't need to before. I got my mother hen hat on and said I would call her then. So the sister relented and called. We did not leave until she had called! Her companion had spent the day cooking up a storm, trying to make something that her companion might want to eat. (p.s., the temp was down Sunday morning, but they were instructed not to go to church by Sis. Baker.)

So many things have kept us busy this week; quite a variety, from tests to blessings and feeling the spirit. We love this work! We don't find out about E. Steffler's results until the 24th. So keep us in your prayers and hope for the best, which will happen, regardless. We have a YSA with a mission call to Sacramento, reporting to MTC Dec. 17; wanted to go to her temple session, but it was full (you have to make reservations), so we were able to serve the elders quorum. Always somewhere to serve if you look.

Happy birthday to Elinore, on Saturday, we love you! All of you keep on keepin' on; we love y'all. Letters would be appreciated, too! Love, Elder & Sister Steffler