Feb. 8

Another week to report. These seem to be coming rather quickly. Let's see if we were busy at all.

Sunday the 1st was break the fast, so we were busy! Had Hawaiian haystacks so loaded up everything in the car to haul to the church. We decided it would be easier to put together the chicken and soup at the church; also cooked the rice there. During last hour I cooked two pans of rice. The crockpot was the slowest. Had three different sauces to put on the rice and they were all good. So we had a curry sauce, terayaki and our traditional one with sour cream and cream of chicken soup. Had lots of goodies to add on top. Seemed to be a hit. Fed about 40. By the time we got Tyrei home and the car unloaded it was 4 p.m.! Nap time. Then blog time and email time. Listened to two Skousen lectures on the Book of Mormon and had popcorn. He mentioned the two sets of plates and explained the small plates were the prophetic line and the large plates followed the kingly progression. In Jacob 5 he says the master of the vineyard in Heavenly Father and the servant is Christ. The Father helped open the last dispensation by appearing with Christ to Joseph Smith. He puts things together so I can understand them (most of the time!).

Monday morning bright and early we picked up the G1 sisters from the auto body shop where they left their car to get a new bumper. Then took them to the church where the G2 sisters were to take them shopping. Went to Walmart to find the vacuum bags that you suck the air out to minimize space. Not that we are getting trunky, just wanted to make sure we were prepared! Finally got cleaned up to go to FHE; the YSA elders needed a ride because their car was at the auto body shop getting a new part, also. The singles were playing games inappropriate for us so the missionaries hung out in the Family History room and listened to Skousen on the atonement.

Tuesday up early enough to make bread before the YSA elders came for a practice lesson. Warmed up leftover roast and potatoes from Saturday. Then to read at Joanna's from the BOM. Her friend had taken her shopping so she stayed and we read together. Read 3 Nephi 11 when Christ appears to the Nephites. Had an appointment that evening with our investigator and taught her chastity. She about fell off the couch when we sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes." But she will remember what is appropriate because of it. G1 sisters came to use the computer and we were reading D&C 93 commentary; the one sister sat there and listened with us. A lot about intelligences and element combined to make eternal fulness of joy.

Wednesday we finally had a good walk in the sunshine and no wind! Just finished breakfast and YSA elders called and asked us to take them to auto body shop to pick up their car. We said give us half an hour and we will. We both showered and were dressed and ready to go by then. Then picked up a member and took her to get her eyes checked and buy glasses. G1 sisters needed to get their car at 5 so we took them at 4:15 so we could be back for the lesson practice by G2 sisters. Had to play piano at institute because the elders were late getting there. Spent most of the time on section 88, but some on 89.

Thursday we had a good workout and had just gotten dressed when the G1 sisters knocked. Their car would not start; needed a new battery. E. Steffler got his little bag of tools to help. The battery cable was really corroded. The wind was fierce but it had stopped raining. Got their car going and they headed to O'Reilly's for a new battery. I organized a bunch of stuff in my folders. Trent and Brooke came to eat (2nd counselor); fixed pork stir fry. We practiced (role played) giving away a BOM. Called DJ to see how the growers meeting had gone (good) and got to talk to Nate's kids and Lena. The hot tub is working! That was a big concern for E. Steffler.

Friday walked the compound so we would not be late to zone meeting; had time to take a short nap – and both of us went to sleep! We walked in with just a few minutes to spare. A new method of reporting was introduced. We don't do that, so we watched the others work out how to do that. Tyrei did not get any friends to come eat with him, so we invited the elders and they were happy to help out! The meatloaf was a hit but Tyrei and E. Siddoway are lactose intolerant so they didn't eat the au gratin potatoes – and I had made a lot! Elders taught the restoration; Tyrei had not had the new member lessons because he was working and could never get together with the sisters.

Good workout Saturday; got cleaned up and dressed, then did not go anywhere all day. Thanks to Kim we now have the commentary on the New Testament so most of the day was spent getting caught up on that reading. Something interesting: Mary and Joseph's families probably moved to Galilee because of political unrest in and around Jerusalem (they being of the Davidic line and you remember what a peach Herod was!). A few generations before, probably. Had not thought about why they were in Nazareth when their families were from Bethlehem. The language thing was also interesting. Jesus probably spoke Aramic but the first writing (probably by Mark) was in Greek. So it had its first translation when it was first written. What is amazing is that we have the Bible at all; I see the hand of the Lord in this and I had not thought of it before like I had the BOM. Scriptures are so important and the Lord knew we would need them to learn of Him. We are truly blessed.

Looking forward to the sisters conference in Virginia this coming week. We are taking the sisters from Kinston and staying with a senior couple in Virginia Beach. Trying to stay busy and be a blessing to the branch and missionaries. I guess we did help them out a few times this past week.

Hope this finds everyone well and enjoying warmer weather! We were at 69 today! Felt wonderful. Now to just stay there for awhile (like 5 months!). Love to each and every one of you. God loves you and so do we! Elder & Sister Steffler

p.s. Aren't the cupcakes cute that the G1 sisters made for us?