Dec. 21

I thought this week would be slow and boring; no so. Many blessings and challenges, though.

No branch council so all who wanted to could go to a branch member's farewell in her home ward. She is so excited to go! Her mission is to Sacramento California Mission. Then we had our own meetings; good talks by the Dawson sisters and ward mission leader, Taylor Given. Gospel doctrine was the same Ezekiel lesson that was taught 2 weeks ago in the 1st ward. I know doubly about the water coming out from the temple that will heal the Dead Sea. Had the Savior's birth in Relief Society. Invited the YSA elders to dinner since they didn't have a dinner appointment. Had breakfast for dinner, then went with them to teach Brittany. She is so ready for baptism – gave all the right answers to the questions on prayer, reading and chastity. Brittany cracked us up with her response to chastity: I'm glad my boyfriend and I just play cards! Then finished all my Christmas cards to the branch members. I have never written so many cards in my life. Even wrote a couple to inactives and invited them to come to branch activities. Told YSA elders we would take them to Havelock so E. Bauman could talk to some YSA members and see former members.

Monday got to exercise again! Three days without is way too long! Walked on the Sr. Center path. Went to member's house where we fixed the yard art and thought it looked good and took a picture. She was pretty excited how it turned out. After cleaning apartment, we went to Post Office to buy stamps and mail all the cards. In line for about 30 minutes (maybe not quite that long, but it seemed like it!) then they were out of holiday stamps. So bought some red hearts and fireworks. Deserved a burger and fries after that, but maybe not the yogurt at Sweet Frog, but it was good! Decided to make pumpkin cookies to use up the pumpkin in the fridge. Looked at my phone and Tyrei needed a ride to FHE; barely got the cookies baked before we had to leave. Missionary correlation at 6:30 and FHE at 7. Had Jet's pizza – chicken with BBQ sauce, yummy. Played Sardines, then volleyball. Home by 10.

Tuesday we walked the path behind the park, about one mile each way (no side trips or short cuts!). Finished the pumpkin with mini loaves and one large loaf then made banana chocolate chip cookies to use up the over ripe bananas. Sister missionaries borrowed the air mattresses for exchanges with sister trainers; Sis. Whetten finally got x-rays of her back, plus another car. Gave them a plate of cookies and loaf of bread, because they had to feed two extra. Delivered mini loaves and plates of cookies to 8 branch members. Called Danny to see if he was home or work – neither; he and Emily were in Goldsboro looking at rings! I have not heard anything official yet, so keep it under your cap! Also took a nice plate to the office personnel at The Pointe here at Wimbledon. Had a nice chat with Eliza; all is well there. They spoke in sacrament meeting (both she and Bill spoke) and Lydia was home for the weekend. Took a plate of cookies to G1 elders and YSA elders (they all share an apartment) and got a bathroom scale in return (not the one that the training sisters borrowed, but it works).

Since it rained Tuesday, we walked on the Sr. Center path that is paved. Had a lesson practice with G1 elders on Plan of Salvation then fed them breakfast. Had two frying pans cooking pancakes and could barely keep up! Did I mention they are in a threesome and all three are over 6 feet tall? Delivered more cookies -- six more plates of cookies. Nearly got in a wreck going from Charles to Greenville Blvd. It is a free right-hand turn; no traffic on outside lane; inside lane bumper to bumper. A car on the inside lane decided it was too slow and pulled into the outside lane as we were pulling into the same lane. E. Steffler romped on the gas; we jumped 5 feet in a split second and avoided a collision. He had to stop and look to make sure there were no marks. There is no way we didn't get hit, except for the tender mercy of the Lord. E. Steffler informed me: NO MORE DRIVING DURING RUSH HOUR! It took a while for him to calm down. The traffic reminds me of Eagle Road in Meridian, only cars moving at 45-50 mph. Anyway, now we know where a few more members live. And lived to tell the tale! Watched the DVD we got at the Christmas exchange, "My Girl." I barely remembered it; not too bad.

Thursday we walked the path at the Sr. Center, again. Took copies of YW theme, D&C/church history DVD to Joanna's. I wanted to watch Prophet of the Restoration, but she was gung-ho on BOM, so we read about Moroni vs Amalickiah in Alma 49. She had two huge stuffed alligators on the couch that she had gotten at Sam's Club and had decided to return them to use the money to buy bunk beds for her twins. E. Steffler takes $50 from his wallet and gives it to her for the alligators; she was thrilled and said she would put our names on the tags. We had just gotten a check in the mail from one of our ward members and just paid it forward! Took the G1 sisters to visit Sweetie; they had prepared a lesson, but she wanted to read the Book of Mormon from the Book of Mormon. She had read it but didn't understand all of it, so we read it and discussed it with her. Made a double batch of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies when we got home; baked two pans and put the rest of the dough in the fridge. Watched videos on mormon.org and ordered flowers for the mission office and ordered 3 more copies of the DVD we had given to Joanna.

Friday had a quick walk around the apartment complex because we had District meeting. Lots of baptisms planned in the next month from all the missionaries. Talked about member involvement and going about doing good. I didn't understand how important member involvement was until we came on our mission; it is crucial to finding and retaining. Divided up more cookies for 5 more members. One recent convert came by to get his (he didn't want to inconvenience us) so we asked him to cook us a native meal on New Years Day: Peruvian. Have to find the international market for the right ingredients, but it should be very interesting! G1 sisters came by to ask a favor: they had gotten a key in their mailbox and could we go to the Post Office to get their package. I walked them out to the mailbox and showed them where the key fit in the package slot. They were amazed! Later they came again with some of their goodies they had received: gingerbread man kit and cupcake tins and cake mix. So helped decorate some gingerbread men and loaned them some oil to make the cake. The Pointe had a Mingle with baked potatoes, veggie & cheese platters and cookies and cheese cake bites. Pretty good! It was supper for us!

Saturday we tried out some of the new equipment that we saw got delivered yesterday: tread mills and bikes and free weights and weighted balls. We also worked out on the weight machine. We are starting off slowly because it has been so long since we have worked out; we could tell it, too! Picked up Joanna and went to the farmers market; not much there, a little disappointing. I really had my mouth set for more hot sweet dill pickles and salsa; nope, neither vendor was there. Did buy some more red potatoes and some not-so-sweet sweet potatoes. Filled up the car with gas for $2.35/gal! Had to buy a new electric toothbrush; E. Steffler tried to fix his and broke it instead! Also bought a $20 breakfast pastry tray – a definite no-no. At noon the district went caroling together and we shared some pastry. One of the elders knew the lady that ran My Sisters Attic, and she went around to all the other little shops asking if we could come caroling; they all were thrilled. One sister even said she was interested in learning more! We were not the best carolers I have heard, but we sang with gusto. After an hour, we had had enough, but the other missionaries continued on; don't know for how long. Made a batch of bread when we got home. Invited G1 sisters to have some, then took them to Robersonville to deliver cupcakes. We dropped off our cookies to Tyrei and another member that live out that way – both were home. The G1 sisters told us of a tender mercy. They were walking to the caroling and a car from Kinston stopped and asked if they needed a ride. The driver showed his temple recommend so the sisters knew they were okay! It really tickled them. I kind of got homesick in the afternoon after caroling. I guess the caroling reminded me of our family going caroling to neighbors for one of our traditions. Anyway, I went on an eating binge, but was rescued by the G1 sisters asking us to take them to Robersonville. Sometimes you think you are putting someone "out" when they really need the blessing.

I am trying harder to not get homesick. I started reading the Bible whenever I feel a little depressed. Read all of Isaiah and Jeremiah and have started on Ezekiel. I don't think I'll finish the Bible by the end of the year!

Hope y'all are ready for Christmas, because ready or not ... here it comes! We love you and miss you, but are enjoying the work here. We have mailed a lot of cards and delivered a lot of cookies. Now to stay busy until the students return. God bless you and if you have not seen He is the Gift, please log on to christmas.mormon.org for a lovely and poignant video. Elder and Sister Steffler