I am a day late, but Sunday was unusual; went to 1 p.m. church then a new convert, Luis, cooked us a Peruvian meal. Then I had to make a death cake for one of the YSA elders who goes home today. So here it is Monday.
Last Monday we took an elder to the mission home who was going home a week early so he could get ready to attend school. It rained all the way to Chesapeake, VA, of course; took 2 3/4 hours. Saw another elder going home early, Elder Horne who had been the district leader when we first arrived. It was good to see him. Had Pres. and Sis. Baker model the new jackets that Lena bought and embroideried the mission logo on; they fit perfectly! Went to the mission office to pick up 3 dvds on Prophet of the Restoration and bought a couple more books they had. Got home too late to go to FHE; besides, we were bushed.
Tuesday went shopping for another kitchen clock, as ours has been squirrely lately; cost $5! Had a good talk with Karla on Monday night and got caught up on who died this year that we didn't know about. We are out of the loop!
Wednesday the YSA elders detailed our car – inside and out. It is shiny clean now – until it rained Saturday! Now we can see the scratch from the "little bump" last week, that could have been a whole lot worse! Bought some yellow peppers (aji) for the Peruvian meal one of our new converts said he would cook for us. It was an experience shopping in the Mexican grocery store. Read about the temple in Ezekiel and could not visualize it, so googled it, and there in 3D was someone's interpretation of what it will look like! Excellent. Had a sisters' night out: supper, games, food, games. Only lasted until 9 p.m. curfew and to bed way before midnight!
Had a nice walk on New Year's Day then fed the YSA elders breakfast (not early!). Went to Martha Pinion and Hunter Metcalf's wedding – both now graduated from the branch. It was in the Washington civic center; looked like a converted warehouse of some sort; fixed up very nicely. We were going to help serve dinner, but were only in the way, so we left after the ceremony. The wedding party walked to the waterfront for pictures and I caught Martha and Hunter on the way back – in front of the crab.
Friday was zone meeting. Pres. Baker wants all missionaries to do the 12-week start up again. That means another hour of study; one for personal and one for companionship study; also encouraged to role play various scenarios. Elders Valdez and Bauman bore their testimonies since they are going home Monday. Had an appointment with a branch member and got to meet his brother. We have been trying for 3 months to meet him, and just like that, there he was. We shook his hand and introduced ourselves and chatted a few minutes. Didn't want to scare him off on the first meeting! He is an inactive member.
Saturday we walked the path behind one of the city parks and saw a herd of deer. We could see 4 but there were more back in the brush; only about 10 ft away. There is a wooded area along the path by a drainage ditch where they hang out. Drove to Kinston for the wedding reception of another branch member, Blake and Cassie Howard. They graduated Dec. 27. The reception included a sit-down dinner. We left before the dancing began! It was decorated to Winter Wonderland, which took some ingenuity for NC. Big shake up in the mission since so many went home this transfer and lots of new ones coming in. New district leader and 3 missionaries are training new missionaries. Since most of the mission is doing the 12 week, I guess that is why Pres. Baker decided everyone should do it.
No branch meetings again on Sunday. We went to the 1 p.m. meeting. You forget how noisy little ones can be! It was fun to see babies and toddlers again. I will be glad when the branch is functioning again. After church Luis came to our apartment to make the Peruvian meal for us and the YSA elders. In a blender he put Peruvian yellow peppers (aji), saltines and evaporated milk. He boiled the chicken to cook it. Also boiled some potatoes. Then chopped some onions and seasoned it with chicken boullion and yellow food coloring. There had to be something else that spiced it up; maybe the peppers. Then he shredded the chicken, added to the onions and added the stuff from the blender. He poured all that over sliced cooked potatoes. It was pretty good, not too hot and very filling. Also had rice as a side dish. We forgot the hard-boiled eggs. Anyway, pretty good meal. Then the missionaries gave a 15 min. review of the restoration before they left for 2 more appointments. I made a death cake for E. Bauman (a tradition I learned from some of the former sisters). You decorate it with a headstone (Oreos or Nutter Butter cookies) with RIP, name and date the missionary leaves (day he dies in the mission). Took it to their apartment along with a loaf of bread. Found out today that the bread was gone last night and the cake is only half gone! They both came to say good-bye and have a last picture with us and E. Bauman. We agreed to be his grandparents and take him hunting!
So another transfer in the works. We were going to take the G2 sisters to the mission office Wednesday, but they called and will be driving the zone leaders' car so it can be inspected in Virginia. So will be saying good-bye to Sis. Whetten today, also. Sad but necessary so they can progress and meet other people and not get too attached. We have known her since July, so she had been here quite awhile and she is such a joy. Have I mentioned before that we love working with the missionaries? They are so dedicated and set such an example for Elder Steffler and I to follow. They really do become a member of the family!
Signing off for another week. Hope this finds all y'all healthy and happy and busy. We love you and thank you for your prayers in our behalf. Elder & Sister Steffler
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