November 30

A week in review:

Nov. 23, up early so we could be in New Bern by 8 a.m. to help Bro. Walker set up the luncheon for the single adults. On the road by 7:10 and had to hurry, but we made it! Thanks to GPS. People we already there setting up easels with pictures of children and Christ. The convention center is huge and located along the Neuse River. Long bridge to get over the river and to New Bern, which is sort of located in the middle of the stake. Not really, but enough that the ones in Harker's Island don't have to travel so far, like Kinston. The stake building won't hold all the stake so they rent the convention center. We helped Bro. Walker load trolleys with our paper goods, his coolers and water, a little elevator to reach the upper deck, then through the center to the back patio to set up. It is a lovely view from the patio over the river. The center provided tables, tablecloths and ruffle skirting so that it looked pretty good. He had a large roaster pan full of spicy meatballs and one with BBQ wienies. The RS president had cordoned off 40 seats for the young singles and most of them were filled. Most of the YSA had met at the church and carpooled to New Bern. The Primary chorus sang about 15 minutes of prelude and another song during the meeting. There was a camera on the speaker with blown up pictures on both sides behind him. There was an upper balcony that I did not see, but most of the missionaries sat up there. Pres. and Sis. Baker spoke, then two Primary children, the stake Primary president and Pres. Walker. Good talks, good spirit, good food afterwards. Had sub sandwiches delivered and the singles brought sides and desserts. We helped clean up then headed home. Almost made it, then Tyrei called for a ride from Pres. Lewis' homes to his home. His trailer was locked up tight, so dropped him off at his grandma's. Home to rest!

Monday we found another path to walk behind the park where the YSA have had a few activities. It is paved going along the side and back of the park, then there is a dirt path that goes about a mile. We did not go to the end, because then we would have had to walk all the way back. We need to work up to that, though. It was quiet and peaceful and the temperature was 68! There was high humidity and it rained off and on all day. Had appointment with the cardiologist. She went over the tests that were done; no blockages that she could see. One area of the bottom of the heart was iffy; to be definitive, a catherization would need to be done or she could try some other meds to see if the heart could be stimulated a little more. We opted for the meds and a watch and wait. Next appt is in January. E. Steffler is suppose to cut back on salt and fats. So we ate healthy food at Noodles & Co., then got haircuts. Made a lemon cake for the graduation tomorrow. A bunch of changes at transfers this Wednesday: The YSA will change from sister missionaries to elders, the zone leaders will be training a new missionary, Sis. Jensen will be a sister trainer in Goldsboro, Sis. Evans goes to Virginia Beach and Sis Bowen to New Bridge. We are taking Sis. Harrison (Kinston missionary) to the mission office for training to be a trainer. FHE was writing letters to missionaries; about a dozen YSA showed up; then they played volleyball, of course!

Tuesday wanted to do a workout and soak in hot tub, but the fitness center is closed for repairs and upgrade. So took our swimsuits and towels back to the apartment and just walked. The graduation luncheon we had planned got changed to a brunch because of conference calls, so we all went to ihop for breakfast: Sisters Bowen, Bunker, Evans and Jensen. It worked out OK; E. Steffler still got his steak! Then gave a cake to each set of sisters with a "3" on top to signify their 3 month graduation from being trained. The sisters and elders are switching apartments – the sisters apt was larger and there will be 5 elders living in it. But today presented a problem: 2 beds and 6 sisters! We loaned our 2 air mattresses and Pres. Lewis loaned his air matresses, so everyone got to be comfortable. Supper and correlation with Pres. Lewis. Went over their contacts and info for the new elders. Had shredded beef tacos, yummy. Then filled the car with gas in preparation for Wednesday's trip.

The new electric alarm clock work wonderfully at 4:30 a.m. We had to hustle to be at the car at 5:05, loaded up with 20 mini loaves of sweet bread and bottled water and granola bars and headed to the "new" sisters' apartment. It was the elders apartment until 3:30 yesterday; the Kinston sisters stayed there and we picked up Sis. Harrison to take her to Portsmouth, VA. It rained ALL the way there, 150 miles, mostly in the dark. Not fun, but we got there with 45 min. to kill; better than 15 min. late! Saw some favorite missionaries that have worked in Greenville; fun. Got to listen to transfer meeting and see 25 new missionaries meet their trainers. Took the scenic route down Hwy 13. Had to take the sisters to Kinston; the GPS got us lost – we were traveling out in the middle of a field, according to Miss Naggie! Had to gas up the car again, then head home – beat.

Happy Thanksgiving! Started the day with a nice walk at the senior center. Bought a few items at the grocery store on the way home. The one member we had hoped to feed dinner to bailed because he didn't have gas money. But the new YSA elders were glad to be fed: Elders Bauman and Siddoway. It will be interesting to work with elders instead of sisters. Got to talk with Lena and Deana. DJ and family were involved with a turkey trot in the morning then had dinner with Ed in the afternoon. We had quite a bit of leftovers from our 10# turkey.

Friday up and walking, then district meeting. Met the zone leaders during our walk; they were headed to Kinston's district meeting. Took chocolate chip banana bars wrapped individually and told the missionaries they were not to eat it until they were in their apts. Trying to be strictly obedient. Started without the sisters; the G2 sisters were involved in a wreck Tuesday and are without a car, so the G1 sisters had to pick them up. They came in during the opening song; it sounded much better with the sisters singing also! Introduced new missionaries: Sister Fife, Elders Ballentyne, Bauman and Siddoway. Introduced The First Gift and given Christmas passalong cards. After a nap, went shopping for a care package for Kierra Spruill; got it mailed and boughnt boxes and stamps for mailing. G1 sisters returned the air matresses and chatted for about half an hour. Then YSA elders came to get deep fat fryer we were not using. Then G1 elders came by to introduce us to their greenie, E. Collier; fed them some ice cream. Dan talked to Eliza and Ed; wonderful talking with family.

Saturday walked at the senior center again. Saw the farmers market was open, so stopped by and bought a few things. I put up the family Christmas tree: family pictures with Nativity picture in the middle. Still need to get hanger hooks to hand some small ornaments on the garland. Also got a swag to hang on the door, instead of a wreath that cost $35! We had printed the family pictures that were taken last Christmas. Got a call from G1 sisters; they needed to visit some members in Ayden and didn't have the miles, so could we take them? Sure; no one was home, so we went to Sweet Frog for yogurt. About 8:30 we got a call from the G1 sisters; could they come talk and receive some counsel? Hopefully what we said helped them. Elder Steffler led out with experiences and gave them each a blessing. Have I ever said that missions are hard?

Our mission is not quite as hard as it is for the young sisters. We are use to each other and have an eternal love for each other. That really helps! We try to do what we can to help out. And we make sure to get in a nap every day. That really helps.

We love our family and have enjoyed talking with each of them this week. Lena and family were going to Salt Lake to see the temple lights. Hopefully that was a worthwhile trip. Deana's husband, Ken, is home recuperating from hip surgery. Eliza and family stayed home and fixed dinner. I'm sure Nate and family were with Grandma Bell, maybe in Jordan Valley, if the snow is not too bad. So our family is learning to get along without us. And we weathered the holiday, too. Our weather has been cold a few days, but has started to warm up. The usual temps are mid 40s to mid 60s, so not too bad. But we did have a couple of mornings in the 20s, really cold for here! Hope this finds all well. We love you and pray for you. God bless you. Elder & Sister Steffler