November 23

This blog writing seems to come around quite regular like. But it is a new week, and Thanksgiving to look forward to! Hope all y'all have some family to feel blessed with during this time. I am trying to get some of the YSA to come eat with us that don't have anywhere else to go. Now, a look back at the week.

Sunday was a regular Sunday with branch council, etc. The most we talked about was what Sundays to not hold branch meetings! Definitely not the Sunday after Thanksgiving, but then do we meet the Sunday before Christmas or after? Finally decided to meet the Sunday after so students can have Christmas programs in their own wards. Then to decide what Sunday we will have our Christmas program. After all, the choir is practicing a Christmas song! Looks like it's the 14th; we are running out of Sundays this year! Our new elders quorum presidency talked about testimony and conversion; Sunday School about Jeremiah and RS with treats and lesson. Spent a pleasant Sunday afternoon studying scriptures and napping. Then a call that one of the sisters is sick; she has diabetes and is sleeping and not eating and coughing a lot. Called Sis. Baker who said to wake her up to eat and check blood levels and if we have any home remedies for cough to take to to her. So gathered up the Vicks, herbal tea, honey, lemon, cough drops and headed to her apt. Her fever was down, but blood levels were low so she was trying to eat. Drizzly rain so put on our warm winter coats. Called Deana to see how she is doing. They are having an early Thanksgiving because Ken goes in for hip surgery the day before.

Monday we discovered a new place to walk. There is a path behind the senior center, about 1 1/4 mile long and takes about 30 min. Saw several college-aged students walking dogs and asked if it was a class. Yes, an exercise class, so they walk dogs from the animal shelter across the road. Good idea. Made a batch of pumpkin bread and washed some laundry while E. Steffler scrubbed the tubs and vacuumed. Went shopping at Lowe's for a thermometer so we know how cold it is in the apt. We are always arguing over it being too hot or too cold. Now we have proof! Since it has been chilly for a couple of days, I decided I needed a couple more warm, long skirts but then also found a nice sweater at dressbarn. Didn't need them today, because it got to 75 degrees! For FHE we played human battleship. Not E. Steffler and I personally, you understand, but the YSA. Had a nice talk with DJ and got caught up with his doings.

Tuesday did our workout; another chilly day. Sure feels like winter today. I try not to complain, since I heard about the single digit temps back home and the 4-6 ft of snow in New York. G1 sisters taught us about prophets and priesthood. We were getting ready to go to the health clinic to get another blood draw for E. Steffler, when we got a call from the G1 elders. One of them was sick and asked if we could take them to their doc-in-the-box. They were rear-ended couple of weeks ago and are without a car, so we said of course. Took about 3 hours, but finally got done; he has upper respiratory infection, then to get Rx. Dropped them off and headed to health clinic for the blood draw. On the way home, another call from the elders; they only got one Rx and were suppose to get two, could we take them again? Of course. Had a dinner invite to eat at a restaurant as a fund-raiser. Had a potato and soup. Had calls from Nate and Lena. Nate needed our address so he can send his family's Christmas photo. Lena told ;us what had been done to the hot tub. Good to talk with family.

Wednesday walked at senior center again. Temp was in the 20s, but no wind this time. Dropped off the Ensign to Joanna, since she and one of her boys were sick and we couldn't read with her. Made a batch of banana-zucchini bread and was about to start a meatloaf, but the other senior couple from Washington (they were doing apt inspections in Greenville) was finishing up and we were going to lunch. Went to Rucker Johns; I had a huge plate of nachos and E. Steffler had the lunch special; I think mine was better! Training sisters returned our air mattresses they had borrowed while they were in Greenville. I say ours but it is the mission's and just stays here so we can keep track of it. They borrowed our scales so they can weigh one of the sisters luggage in preparation to her going home. YSA sisters came for their last lesson on temples and eternal marriage. Sis. Evans is so ready to graduate! Picked up Tyrei for institute and dropped off a stake conference flyer. Lonnie had photos that Stevon had developed, so we put them up in the display case. Checked out the available paper products in the closet and gathered enough for about 100 for stake conference. Watched YSA play volleyball after institute until 9:30 then took Tyrei home.

Thursday was workout and saw that the hot tub was covered, and yes! it was heated. Didn't have our suits with us, so will wait until next time. Got some of our potentials list organized and tried to visit about 10 of them in one apt complex, but they had all moved. Someone at every door, but not interested, except one; she accepted a passalong card. Finally made the meatloaf I was planning yesterday and invited the YSA sisters to help us eat it. Also put in some potatoes to bake and warmed up some veggies. Not a very successful meal, but we chatted for half an hour or so and one of the sisters asked for a blessing, which E. Steffler was glad to provide. Have I said that missions are hard! Especially for the young missionaries with their rules and regulations.

Friday we walked again, but just around the apt complex. Gave my gloves away to a young girls who was waiting for her bus and didn't have gloves. That made me feel good. District meeting focused on the power of conversion; testimony vs conversion. Testimony is a strong belief and conversion is a change of heart, no desire to do evil. Made the announcement that I was not providing treats after meeting any more, trying to be more obedient to the rule that says missionaries are to return to their areas immediately after meeting. Had some sad missionaries. Decided to write a form letter to our missionaries from home: 17 in all, 10 on foreign missions and 7 state side. Took much longer addressing the envelopes that printing the letter. Had an appt at 8:30 with the YSA sisters to teach Luis, a new convert who was taught in Spanish, is taking English classes and wants the new member lessons in English. He attend the community college for 5 hours every day to learn English! Then works late every night with his family. Restoration ended up talking about baptism for the dead and he wants to do family history research, so the sisters are going to teach him Sunday at the family history room at church.

Saturday was a workout and HOT TUB! Wonderful. Decided to go to Tarboro where one of the members is holding a yard sale. It is about 45 min drive. It was at a friend's house; Lonnie lives another 26 miles further. We bought about $10 worth of items and he only charged us $6 because we are missionaries! Got home and made a double batch of brownies for Stake Conference tomorrow and a half batch of banana chocolate chip muffins. Filled my last two mini bread tins for the missionaries. Got 20 in the freezer now! G1 elders begged a ride to the Saturday night session of stake conference in Kinston, so picked them up and then picked up Tyrei: 3 young men over 6 ft. tall in the back of our little Ford Fusion! We got to Kinston early enough to get a burger at Wendy's. But by then the chapel was full and we sat on the second row of hard chairs. Had a great turn out; filled the chapel and cultural hall. Theme was temples and family history. Had four people who had not done any family history previously go out with three family history consultants and after 20 minutes they had 40 names temple ready! One sister got 26 names! Stake presidency and temple president and his wife spoke. Really good evening.

Have come to the end of another week. They are going by so quickly. Tomorrow will talk to the cardiologist about all the tests that have been done on E. Steffler. Looking forward to getting that behind us. Hope all is well on the home front. Hope y'all are staying warm. Had a couple of artic blasts, yes? We have felt the effects here, even. I am loving my warm winter coat that I was sure I would never need! We love all of you. God loves all of you, too, and that makes all the difference. Sister & Elder Steffler