Feb. 1

February already! Let's finish January first. Last Sunday we had a tender mercy happen. Dan happened to pick up his phone and take it to church – something he never does. During a meeting he got a call from Scottie. E. Steffler was so touched by it and so thankful that Scottie had reached out to us. He had to call Deana when he got home. She had gotten a call from Jessica, too. She is being a good sister watching out for her brother.

Monday we started walking again – and shopping! Our frig was full, for awhile (actually most of the week). A lot of the food was for break the fast today (Feb. 1). Sam's had blackberries and strawberries that looked pretty good and didn't cost an arm and a leg, so we bought a bunch to make jam. Also bought 25 lbs of rice; it was only $1 more than the 12.5 lb. package. Pork was $1.98 lb so of course we bought some of that. Had an unusual dinner appointment: the G1 sisters fed us! It was a first for us (and for them). We love both of them and have done several things to help them, so they wanted to thank us. Had a game of Family Feud at Family Home Evening and most of the youth had a good time. Then they played volleyball until who knows how late.

Tuesday instead of the YSA elders doing a practice lesson on us, we did a practice lesson on them. We had a lesson planned for that night so we got to practice. Then we showed the elders how to make strawberry jam – and they helped! We gave them a container and E. Siddoway wrote Broccoli on the lid so the other elders in their apartment wouldn't eat it! Had a couple of members to supper and a short lesson on Book of Mormon and finding people for the missionaries to teach. They left and we had our investigator and a female member come for a lesson. It went really well. She wants to be baptized, just does not want to set a date. So we will see.

Wednesday we walked in sunshine! It was wonderful. Still breezy and cold, but the sun felt good. Got haircuts at the beauty college; mine looks better than Elder Steffler's. For institute, Bro. Walker bought Moe's food for everyone. It is a Mexican restaurant and the food was pretty good. Had an increase in attendance! Our investigator was there and afterwards asked for another lesson!

Thursday E. Steffler was feeling punk so I let him sleep in. Then he walked me to the fitness center and I did a work out and he sat in the club house. Then we made a batch of blackberry jam. He felt good enough to do that. I sent a text to the YSA elders that I had some brussel sprouts left over if they wanted it. They didn't catch on, so finally I texted that it would go good with their broccoli; 5 minutes later they were here! So gave them some jam and half a loaf of bread. They noticed E. Steffler was still in his sweats in the recliner and asked if everything was ok. They offered to give him a blessing and he accepted. He says it is easier to give a blessing that to accept one. He is use to being on the giving end. He felt good enough later to get cleaned up and help with the two members that came to eat. Had a good lesson afterwards. One member had given her BOM away and the other had her dog chew on it, so we gave both of them another book.

Friday was my day to feel punk – must have been a weird bug of some sort. No fever, just achey and yucky. My eye sockets ached. Felt good enough to finish reading D&C 88 commentary. Great section on light and truth. It is like on the doctorate level as compared to the basic elementary level.

Saturday a tender mercy. Picked up Tyrei and went to Washington to find an inactive member and home teach him. Wrong address, but the phone number was right, so I called and he gave me his new address. So Tyrei and E. Steffler got 100% home teaching in January. On the down side, a basketball game had been scheduled for 3 p.m. and it was changed to 1 p.m. but we did not know about the change. No, we did not drive to Kinston to find that out, but one of the members did know and we had called to see if he was going. Oh, well. So the two members planned to hang out together and come to church today, and they did! The members we were going to feed canceled, so we have a bunch of leftovers again. It's all good.

I can't believe I'm looking forward to a little more warmth in the weather. I will look back of this day and remember when I thought this; I know I will.

Is it still snowy out west? I see storms coming across the mid section of the US and head up to New England (Weather channel), but not much about out west. Nate and Tina and their two girls had birthdays – they also enjoyed a cruise. Thanks for posting some photos ! Sorry about the kidney stone. Those can be so painful. Sounds like about everyone is busy and that is good. Do the important things first (prayer, scriptures  & church) and there will be time to do all the other things. Remember the Lord and He will help you do the rest. (Sounding rather preachy aren't I?) But it works! We love all of you and know that Heavenly Father does too. Have a great week! Elder and Sister Steffler