March 22

What a sweet, wonderful, spirit-filled week.

It started with church on the 15th. It was good with good speakers and lessons. That evening our investigator Sarah came for supper and a lesson on tithing and fasting. She had already read about tithing online but not fasting. She was okay with both and committed to live both. She is such a blessing!

Monday we had a nice walk at the senior center, lots of activity going on: grounds people getting the spring clean-up going, students walking doggies and just folks out enjoying the beautiful weather (we were in the last group!). Shopped at Sam's to fill up the fridge and freezer, plus more binders to file more conference talks and commentaries. Started getting calls from our mission president. First, can you take Wilson sisters to the temple Friday? Yes. We would like to go Wednesday also, if at all possible, with our zone. No, not possible. Ok. Second call, Ok, you can go Wed. but you need to take two sisters from Greenville. Of course! Third call, can we put three in the back seat? Yes. Then can you take an elder in front and have S. Steffler sit in back with the two other sisters? Yes! So we are set for both Wed and Friday!

Picked up Tyrei early so elders could teach tithing and fast offering. He was ok with tithing but not fasting – no food for a whole day? No way! So we will have to work on that one again. Had Jet's pizza for FHE and had various members lip sync songs. Sarah came and so did her friend Jonathan. He even did a lip sync; not bashful at all!

Tuesday a nice workout and soak in the hot tub. Had YSA elders for a practice lesson and lunch. Went to read with a member, Ether 10. She was so excited to show us her "garden." She had dug up around her shed and planted peas, lettuce, beans, strawberry plants. The extra hankies that we had put a rush order on came in. We texted G1 and YSA elders and G1 came first so they got to pick which hankies they got and took the other two to to YSA elders. Had a long talk with DJ; he bought a greenhouse and is now trying to figure out where to put it! It is our year anniversary; I forgot and we didn't even celebrate!

Wednesday up early for our trip to the temple. Met at the church for a short prayer meeting then loaded up and headed to Apex where the Raleigh Temple is actually located. I gave a hankie to Pres. Baker and one to Sis. Baker in remembrance of this memorable temple trip. A full session of just missionaries. What a beautiful sight! They are so valiant and worthy and excited for this temple session. All dressed in white, I could hardly hold back my tears. Truly an army of Helaman, and the Lord. Pres. and Sis. Baker hugged all the elders and sisters and then we sat in the celestial room for about 10 minutes and soaked in the spirit. It was wonderful! Complete silence – not a word. No one wanted to leave, but we had lunch and pictures to take and a zone conference to get to. Pres. and Sis. Taggard (temple president) spoke to us and explained some of the reasons for symbolism and explained the squared circle – where eternity meets creation. There was even a short testimony meeting and training on temples and family history. Pres. and Sis. Baker (mission president) spoke and bore their testimonies and how we are on the path back to our Heavenly Home and headed in the right direction. How blessed we felt to be in such company. Returned to Greenville in time to go to institute then home to crash.

Thursday was a day of rest before we repeated all of the above. We bought and mailed birthday cards to two grandchildren whose birthdays we had forgotten! What kind of grandma am I? I need to repent, but I had my eyes fixed on the temple! Filled up the gas tank for another trip then got on familysearch to see if I could find more names. All I did was get confused; help Jessica! She is the one who helped us find the first name. When E. Steffler got up from his nap, his back was hurting; he could hardly walk. He got a hot pack then a cold pack and took Aleve; also found his back brace and that helped. We had to get his back working for another trip to Raleigh!

Friday woke up to rain, but E. Steffler's back was somewhat better and we said a fervent prayer that he would make it all day. The rain quit by the time we got to Wilson to pick up sisters and it did not rain again the rest of the day. So pictures outside; everyone was happy. A repeat of the temple session, so spiritual and zone conference; a double dose of both and so worth it. One of the sisters was from Burley! It was 6 p.m. when we returned to Wilson, so we took the sisters to Cracker Barrel for supper. We feel so blessed to have been with missionaries for two sessions at the temple.

Saturday I was ready for a water aerobics workout, only to find the heated pool closed. What a disappointment; the pump that was making so much noise must have quit completely. So we walked to the hot tub for a soak. Heather Clark, one of our nieces, stopped by for lunch and a chat. She had spent a week at Nags Head with 12 friends on vacation. Yes, I guess moms can take vacations from their kids; never thought of it before. We reminensed about past times and she brought us up to date with her family and her world travels (Australia, Germany, Maryland, Colorado and now Arizona); yes, her husband was military. When we took pictures, she looked like her mom and E. Steffler looked like his dad. Wow, family resemblances. She said he even sounded like his dad. So glad she took time to stop and see us. She was on her way to Fayetteville, and had to go right past Greenville.

I hope as you look at the picture below that you can feel our excitement at being in the temple. That is the Angel Moroni between us. Hope all y'all had a good week, too. We certainly did! We enjoyed the temple and the visit with Heather and teaching our investigator. Doesn't get much better than that. So blessed to be here. Thank you to all who pray for us. Every prayer helps; every good thought helps. We miss you but would not miss this for the world. God bless each and every one of you. Love, Elder and Sister Steffler