Feb. 22

Finally we have a high in the 50s! That is so encouraging after this past week. We are such babies!

Sunday Feb. 15 we had a wonderful branch conference. Set up the crockpot to make taco soup for after. They always have a meal after stake meetings because the stake leadership comes so far. Our stake RS president drives almost 2 hours to be here. Also took 1 1/2 loaves of bread and honey butter. Sacrament meeting went over by half an hour; the other ward was waiting in the wings to come in. Pres. Walker told of a girl from Ecuador that he met on his mission. She wanted to get baptized but wanted her parents' permission. They told her NO! So the elders fasted with her for a miracle and while they were fasting, her parents get a knock of their door (this is a remote village in the mountains of Ecuador) and two missionaries taught them the gospel. They did not accept it, but thought it would be all right for their daughter to be baptized. The girl wanted to know how the missionaries found out where her parents lived; they had no clue, but the Lord knew. Pres. Walker said a sheep farmer from Montana and a pig farmer from Beautankus, NC had their prayers answered; fasting is real and can cause miracles to happen. No time for Sunday School, so Pres. Walker took another 45 minutes talking about love and loyalty and trust – not only with God but with their future spouses. Then time to eat: soups, breads and desserts. Fed about 20 stake people and 30 branch members. Had a meeting with Bro. Paries (high counselor over missionary work) with all the missionaries and branch mission leader and assistant. They want to align the efforts of stake, branch and mission into one goal. Most of the clean up was finished, thanks to a sister in the ward and Tyrei helped with the heavy work of putting tables away and vacuuming. I was so thankful; I was tired!

Monday was too cold to go anywhere or do anything; high of 31. Had a member to dinner. Fixed hamburger stew and had made a fresh batch of bread. She is in grad school and has to be careful what she says because she is LDS, but she took a BOM to put in the grad library. Did a lot of studying because FHE was canceled; a big ice storm was expected about 6. Transfers were moved from Wednesday to Thursday because of the storm.

Tuesday woke up to ice (see photos). Tried walking to fitness center and it was like a sheet of ice so stayed home. Had a practice lesson with YSA elders (cars were shut down but walking was okay). I broke out the last carton of my strawberry jam to feed them. Yes, we do love the missionaries! We canceled our dinner appointment, but could have had it. By 3:30 most of the roadways were cleared and we drove to the post office to mail a package for a missionary. Just got some groceries hauled into the apt when we got a call from the sister missionaries. Could we pick them up (about 1 1/2 miles away)? The cars were officially ungrounded then. So we rescued them. They had been walking since noon – 4 1/2 hours!

Wednesday was sunny and warmer. We were able to walk to the fitness center for a workout. Went shopping for bowls and bought a full set of dishes! They were half off at a thrift shop that benefits abused women. Then bought each of us new athletic shoes, like walking on air! Had a practice lesson with the G2 sisters and taco soup. Our investigator was at institute and we gave her the Feb. Ensign. After we got home and were almost in bed, got a call from her saying she was telling a friend about what she was learning and ended up bearing a testimony. Was it possible she might have a small testimony? She said it felt good. Then she wanted another lesson on Saturday; could we meet with her? Yes and YES!

Up early Thursday to take two sisters to mission office in Virginia. They had stayed overnight so that made it easier to get on the road. One sister has a month left and was being transferred. The other had just finished training (3 months on the mission) and she was going to train a new sister! No ice on the roads, but Portsmouth had had 3-4 inches of snow on Tuesday and there was still remnants of it. Got to hug some special missionaries who were there (ones who had served in Greenville) and were being transferred or were going to train. Our new missionary had 3 large suitcases plus the bedding bag (which the mission is now providing). Got home fine; no side road excursions like last time!

Friday was another cold one; about froze my nostrils shut coming back from our workout! District meeting was good. Got to meet the two new missionaries. Went shopping to Sam's after to buy Nutella and strawberries; over $200 later we got home. Bought printer ink and paper and heat packs. The hankies that Lena embroidered came and they are beautiful! (See pictures) We want to give them to missionaries that we have worked with in Greenville. Our member canceled his dinner appt but the elders came to help eat pork chops, baked potatoes, green beans, salad and apple cobbler. Sent the remaining cobbler home with the elders to share with their roommates.

Saturday we braved the cold once again to walk behind the senior center. It was only about 25 degrees and calm, so not terribly bad. It was nice to get in a good walk. Made two batches of freezer jam (strawberry) then invited the sisters to come help finish the taco soup. They also agreed to take our "old" set of dishes. They had just finished a conference call with Pres. Baker and our next zone conference will be in Raleigh and the missionaries will get to go through the temple! They are all so hyped. Problem: none of them brought their temple clothes and the Raleigh temple has no clothing. So that will need to be resolved. I got the kitchen cleaned up and all the dishes put away (yes, we had to wash all the "new" dishes) and two batches of laundry done, then had to work on a lesson to teach. So we got a little busy. We had invited a member who was baptized about a year ago to go with us to our investigator's apt. We taught her keeping the Sabbath Day holy. She works a lot on Sunday so we thought she could gain the most by having that lesson. She took it well and our member bore his testimony. He was working every Sunday before his baptism and since he started going to church, he has felt better and his work is doing better. He is not so stressed out from working 7 days a week. She also told us she is thinking April sounded like a good month to be baptized. We are so blessed to be teaching her.

So that winds up our week. Hoping for a little warmer weather; today is in the 50s again, so maybe. Had a good chat with Eliza and all is well with them. Did y'all see that Lydia colored her hair red? Super cute. She is still thinking about a mission at the end of this semester. Missions can be so hard, yet so rewarding, so worth every trial. We love working with the members and the missionaries. Hope this finds all well with all y'all. Cute pics of Deana and kids and Ed at West Park. Also of the furry and feathery grand kids! Love all of you, Elder and Sister Steffler