April 26

A week of discoveries ...

Elder Steffler feeling much better, no sneezing or runny nose; still tired and wanting to sleep a couple times a day. Hard to get anything done. Finally went to the doctor Friday and he got two new meds for allergies. The Nasacort actually did what it was suppose to do – clear out his sinuses. Just don't use it at night then put on a CPAP which keeps everything sucked in! That made us feel much better, and he already does feel better.

I felt like I was trying to catch something Monday, so we laid around and did not much. Amanda came over to exchange a lipstick that I ordered from Avon and I ordered more stuff – of course. Did some laundry and returned tablecloths to church and picked up paper products, catsup and mustard for the BBQ that night. It was at North Campus Crossing, a nice area behind a large apartment complex with a lake and canoes and kayaks to paddle around (no one did) plus grassy area to play ultimate frisbee and soccer, which the young singles did. Some also played corn hole which is tossing a bean bag into an inclined hole in wood. Don't know why it has such appeal. Also had hamburgers and hot dogs which Jonathan cooked (he is quite the pyro with the lighter fluid!). We drove out to Tyrei's to see if he was still coming; got there just as he was getting into a car and leaving. Guess he was busy. Luis was there; first time we have seen him since he cooked Peruvian for us. Sarah came to relieve some stress at school and/or work. We watched for a while, but when the wind picked up, we left. Dan talked with Elden, Terry and Dolly, so had quite a family chat time. I talked with Sue for a while. She said to see Cinderella if at all possible; we already had – be courageous and kind. Good words to live by.

Found a couple of good recipes for cheese balls, so had to go shopping for the ingredients Tuesday. Wanted to make them for institute Wednesday. One was sweet with pineapple and ham; the other had bacon, sharp cheddar cheese and was salty. Made the two balls that afternoon after we had visited and read Book of Mormon with a member. Later we finished listening to the lectures on BOM by Skousen; really interesting concepts made by him. I sent texts to 4 or 5 people to set up appointments to visit; no replies. Guess we just need to show up at the door! Received Kimball's graduation announcement; really cute pictures of her.

Wednesday was a nice, cool morning for a swim – 57 degrees! Made a batch of strawberry jam to use up the berries we had bought. I have arbitrated 99,000 names now so should hit my target of 100,000 in May – that is FamilySearch. I try to do a couple of batches every day. Finished reading D&C 133 and the commentary. Watched Saturday morning of conference. It was easier to understand Pres. Packer this time. Picked up Hawa, an investigator, for institute. She has long straight hair so looks quite different than she did last year. She is back on Spring Forest living again after spending the winter in the community shelter. We told the elders they could teach her.

Thursday we spent the day in Kinston. Had district meeting there then interviews with Pres. Baker. Elder Ashton (over automobiles for the mission) gave a presentation of automotive care – from fluid checks to tire checks and battery checks. We even learned a few things that we should do, like check the air pressure in our spare tire! G1 sisters got a new car! Theirs had gone over the 50,000 miles that the church tries to stay under to resell them. E. Ashton demonstrated a spray that he used on the sisters "old" car that is a wash and wax combo. He said he bought it on the internet. Then Sis. Baker gave a lesson how faith, hope and charity lead to obedience, service and love. Went to Subway for lunch and took G1 and G2 sisters. G2 were backing up last Sunday and were in an accident so they had come with G1 sisters. We sat in the mother's lounge and napped and read until it was our time for an interview. Ours was short, but was continued at Ruby Tuesday where we had supper. Pres. Baker is mostly concerned about our health and how we are doing. He suggested that we reach out to new converts and teach them about family history. They have a new granddaughter; all their family is visiting them in June.

Watched the Saturday afternoon session of conference Friday after the doctor trip. I made banana chocolate chip bars to use up a couple of over ripe bananas and to give away on Saturday as a treat. So Saturday we visited a young single in Greenville 2nd ward and presented her with a Book of Mormon and offered to give her the missionary lessons. She was ok with that, so now we have something to do on Saturday mornings! We gave her a flyer of YSA activities and invited her to attend; maybe she will. Then we shopped at Sam's. Took cookies and flyer to a nonmember and inactive member; not at home, but a room mate was, so we gave her the cookies and told her to share with the others. Then went to our investigator's apt to give her some cookies and a hug. She is so stressed with tests and work, she has quit having lessons. That is her excuse, anyway. Invited her to the broadcast we had today and gave her a flyer for next week's stake conference. Still had a plate of cookies; tried to give away to a member who has been absent for over a month, but he was not at home, so we gave them to our neighbor who is moving across the parking lot to a larger apartment. She was grateful. Fed the YSA elders; they were also thankful! They had been knocking apt doors all afternoon. Had a roast, mashed garlic potatoes, steamed cabbage, bread and jam, butterscotch pudding and the rest of the cookies. We also gave them the rest of the cheese balls and bread and jam. At least those won't be hanging around to tempt us!

Today we had a regional broadcast form SLC; it was broadcast to every building in the stake, so Greenville had both wards and our branch in attendance. We had branch council at 8:30! Then picked up Hawa; she wanted to attend church. She has been on mormon.org and watched some of the Bible videos and read some of the commentaries on I am a Mormon. She seems eager to learn more. The other missionaries had to stay after the broadcast with a meeting with Pres. Walker, I'm sure about stake conference next week. The church has reserved Minges Coliseum at ECU campus. There are grassy areas for picnics afterward so we will set up a shade and have our picnic there instead of the church. The weather forecast is sunny and 80 degrees! Should be good.

Well, another week has slipped by. Our interview with Pres. Baker seems to have energized us and with E. Steffler on some allergy pills, maybe we can beat the bush a bit better. Our goal is to teach family history to new converts so they can take a name to the temple. We can do that! And if we can't, we know people who can help. The church is true and is led by our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know this more today than I did when we came out on our mission. I love the Lord and know He loves and desires to help each of us; all we have to do is ask and keep His commandments. God bless all y'all. Love, Elder & Sister Steffler

April 19

Elder Steffler was sick today and stayed home from church. This is the first time I have had to go to church alone – and I didn't like it one bit. I am so use to him being with me day and night, this seemed really strange. It was Meat & Greet to boot and I had to carry all the food, etc. to the car, then into the church. I really needed him! He had just gotten up when I got home at 3:45; I don't know how one person can sleep so long. But, when you don't feel good, that is what your body needs. He was not feeling badly – just runny nose and sneezing all the time. Sounds like allergies, but not that much has changed since yesterday.

Had some warm days and cool days last week. You would think it was spring or something. Not as bad as back west with snow one day and sunshine and no snow the next. Monday while I did some laundry, E. Steffler actually sewed on a belt loop – by hand! He was really missing his daughters. One of "our" missionaries who has moved to another area told us of a couple of ducks who live in the pond near where they live. She has named them Dan and Kaye! So we are remembered. Kaye is sitting on eggs right now so she does not get around as much. Our daughter Eliza's husband Bill was one of 30 employees who got laid off last week – unexpected but not surprising is how Eliza stated it. So, wonder what the Lord has in mind for them. Keeping them in our prayers. We took a bag of salad to FHE; one of the members made enough chicken alfredo to feed the members and I brought the salad. Then we played human Clue! Never had played it before and didn't really catch on until the game was almost finished. E. Steffler and I also got hair cuts. Mine looks really short because the perm really tightened up.

Tuesday washed dirty towel and dish clothes from the church. Don't know how many times they had been used, but it was time for a wash! Finished Pearl of Great Price with the member we read with and started on Joseph Smith History. I don't think she had ever read it before. E. Steffler took his sleeping cap and had her machine stitch the Velcro onto the cap and around the chin strap. The sticky was already starting to come off the cap that holds the Velcro on. So that really helped. It was rainy off and on all day. Met Iryna, a nonmember, who is living at a member's house with her boyfriend. He was not home, but we made an appointment for the 25th. Here's hoping he will be interested; he is an inactive member. She is from Ukraine and they met while she was on a work visa a few years ago.

Chilly Wednesday morning, but did a water workout anyway. E. Steffler did not enjoy it as much as I did. Cool water just gives you more incentive to work harder! Had G2 sisters over for lunch, then went over their ward roster to update the YSA roster that we got. They had lost their gas card so were using their food card to buy gas, so they were very grateful for the food – and we sent home the leftovers, too. Decided to make rice crispy treats for institute and thought one batch was insufficient, so E. Steffler had to run to the new neighborhood Walmart (one block away!) to buy another bag. Started with only 10 members at institute, but ended up with 15.

Thursday we enjoyed a nice walk at the senior center. Several people were there walking. Made raspberry cake for a member's birthday and pineapple coleslaw. While I was cooking, E. Steffler hand sewed the nose piece of his CPAP with Velcro so it will stick to the chin strap. And it works beautifully! Had the G1 sisters to supper and went over their ward roster. They had a few move ins that were not on our roster, also. Took a cupcake to a member whose birthday is tomorrow. The frosting is a container of whipped topping and bag of raspberries. Tastes pretty good. I still like the pistachio better – more moist.

Friday was district meeting, on hope this week. Read scriptures, had a discussion then role played giving out Because He Lives pass-along cards. Shopped Sam's for potatoes (we cooked a lot of potatoes this week!) and strawberries. Had to stop for a frosty on the way home; I have a hard time passing up Wendy's frosties! Made a batch of bread because the YSA elders and Tyrei were coming to supper. Had fried pork, fried Yukon gold potatoes, steamed carrots and coleslaw. Good thing we had lots of pork and potatoes, because Tyrei would not eat carrots or coleslaw. He made up for it with the pork! He liked the cake; I made it for his birthday on Saturday; sent home the remainder for his family to enjoy. Elders taught him the 10 Commandments; made sure he understood every one.

Saturday was another pool day, and it was a bit chilly – again. Cloudy and misty rain off and on all day. Still got up to 80 degrees, however. Realized Bill had a birthday on Monday, so got a card ready to mail and drove to the post office so it would go out today. Then made sure we knew where stake conference would be held on ECU campus. The church is renting Minges Coliseum for the Sunday meeting and the Saturday evening will be in Kinston. So we found that, then decided to drive out to North Crossing Complex where FHE will be held Monday. It is on the road to Little Washington – on the opposite side of the road that our GPS said it was! But we drove around it and it is a nice area – pond with boats and kayaks and grass to play games and an area for a BBQ. Went to the musical Women at the Well at 2. Had two YSA sisters with solos; they did a nice job and the whole production was amazing. Spent the rest of the afternoon and evening cutting up fruit for a salad – pineapple, strawberries, mangoes, mandarin oranges, kiwis and putting together a lasagna for Sunday's Meat & Greet. The salad dressing was citrus fruit juice (orange, lemon and lime) with ginger and poppy seeds. Very different; rather tart, but good. Got rave reviews today. The fruit is sweet so it goes good with the tart dressing. The lasagna turned out good. The other lasagnas were bought at the store and not as meaty or good as the one I slaved over! The YSA members ate all four that were brought! Plus all the fruit salad and green salad. A few cookies were sent home with the YSA elders.

So another week under our belt. Hope to do more inactive contacting this week – hopefully E. Steffler gets feeling better! I wrote on page 400 in my journal yesterday, so that tells you how long we have been out – I do a page a day. This has been a great experience; would not change it for anything. Elder Steffler and I feel like our marriage is stronger because we have a common goal of doing the Lord's work. Things at home have been a little bumpy, but they will work out – in the Lord's time. Hang in there kids and grandkids! We love you and pray for you. Thanks to those who pray for us – we need blessings, too. God bless all y'all! Elder and Sister Steffler

New cap

Chin strap holds mouth shut.

April 12

Don't you just love the photo of E. Steffler? He didn't appreciate me taking it, much less posting it! It is his new cap and strap to keep his mouth closed while he sleeps. His CPAP does not work if the air comes in his nose and out his mouth!

Can't say enough good about conference. Still on a conference high. Happy birthday Monday to Eliza, but we aren't counting! Our car needed it 60,000 mile check-up and oil change, so did that Monday morning. Then shopping to Sam's and filling up the car's tank. Guess what we did Monday afternoon? Went to see Cinderella! Does not matter how many times you see it, it's still a good romance. And I loved the "Have courage and be kind" advice. YSA played human foosball at FHE. The girls were fearsome – taking head hits and delivering kicks you would not believe.

Finished reading Pearl of Great Price with a member; now to start over on Book of Mormon. Wednesday had a water aerobic workout. Water finally got bearable to be in – even E. Steffler got it! Pollen is getting bad; can't keep it washed off the car. Once a day is not enough. Opening day for a neighborhood Walmart; yes, we went. There are a few things cheaper than the Harris-Teeter we usually go to. Institute Wednesday; homework and other problems keep many members home. Started up the air conditioner and it felt really good Wednesday after institute! Rained all night, so humid the next day. Had to shop for avocados and safety pins. E. Steffler does not like the peak in his cap; the cap slides down over his eyes during the night. Do you know how hard it is to find safety pins?! Finally went to Rite Aid – our last stop before driving 3 miles to JoAnn's. They had an assortment for over $3!

Friday was zone meeting, all about Faith – why we need it, how we make it grow, how we can tell others what it is. Read several scriptures and told how they testified of faith. Then Miracle May was explained – every companionship commit to a baptism in May – and do you have enough faith to fulfill that commitment?

I had made a cake for our investigator's birthday, so we delivered it, as well as an Ensign, card and balloon. Tried to commit her to baptism in May, but she did promise to fast and pray about it on Sunday. She is working Sunday (like she has the past four Sundays) but said she would do what she could.

Saturday I made a batch of bread and took a loaf to our new upstairs neighbor – just one. She is a nice young woman who is starting a job Monday at Holliday Inn. About 8 p.m. the G1 sisters stopped by to give us a referral. A young woman from Ukraine is moving in with her boyfriend who is an inactive member. Wow! A referral and an inactive member, two of what we need for the Miracle May to happen. So we are super excited to meet them.

We are looking forward to a better week ahead. Felt like we just were spinning our wheels this past week. Missed the practice lessons and feeding the missionaries. We appreciate your prayers in our behalf. We pray for our family at home, too. Things are a-changing and we pray that the Lord's blessings will attend all of you. Love, Elder & Sister Steffler

April 5

Happy Easter greetings to everyone! We had a lovely day at conference, watching at the church; eating an Easter feast at a member's home; and coming home to find we had been "egged." Several possibilities, but don't know for sure.

We have had an interesting week.

After a good three-hour meeting block Sunday, we enjoyed some crepes that E. Siddoway had made for us. We put Nutella, strawberry jam and whipped cream on them. Yum! I had posted a photo on facebook of S. Hansen and her death cake and got a lot of likes on it. One nonmember asked why it was called a death cake, so I explained some of the mission culture, born on a mission when you come out, then die when you go home. Kind of morbid, but interesting.

Monday we took S. Hansen to Wilson to catch the mission van to ride to the mission home then fly home Tuesday. One elder from Wilson plus missionaries from Rocky Mount and Roanoke Rapids were also being picked up. Hermana Fields went with us to say good-bye to her companion – a zebra companionship is what it is called. A Spanish-speaking and English-speaking companionship. We also have a set of elders in a zebra. When we returned, the other set of sister missionaries were running errands, so she wrote letters here in the apt. Found out S. Glaser will be H. Fields new companion! She was the first one we had practice lessons with, her and S. Jasperson. Such fond memories – a year ago, almost. We made two batches of strawberry jam; Sam's had a special on them. And homemade is so much better than store bought. Had 20 young singles to family home evening, plus a few adults and missionaries. Played Signs and had a lot of fun.

Tuesday we had to hurry through our workout so I could make a batch of bread (to go with the fresh jam) before the YSA elders came for lunch. Made omelets and empanadas. E. Lewis gave a short lesson on Follow the Prophet to hype us for conference. E. Siddoway is transferring to Curritick, so had to say good-byes and take pictures. Read with our member friend. Since we have finished the Book of Mormon, we have been reading Pearl of Great Price. We read Moses 1 last week and she finished all of Moses, so we read Abraham 1 with her. E. Steffler promised to grill a steak for a sister who is being transferred; he was so worried it was going to be tough that he ran (drove) to the store to buy a marinade for it. It was still tough! He was so disgusted. I made creamed potatoes and peas and they were good. Showed them the video Man Without Guile, the Brigham Young conversion by a simple testimony of a man without guile.

Wednesday: April Fool's Day. Did you see all the posts on fb? I loved the 3 hour block going to 4 hours with a break for lunch then exercise. Made oatmeal-fudge bars for institute and they were a hit! We shopped for plastic eggs and jelly beans; I also inserted an Easter pass-along card and Elder Oaks talk on singles needing to get married into the egg – it was a large egg! Gave them to all the singles. Had 20 young singles to institute, much better than the 11 or 12 we have been getting. Met the new YSA elder, E. Allred. The district leader, E. Hiraldo, got a new companion, E. Armstrong. S. Barfuss' new companion is S. Villegas; lots of new missionaries in Greenville.

Thursday the YSA elders came for lunch and a short message. He asked how prayer had influenced our life, and the short lesson became quite long; each had a tearful story to share. Fed them corn dogs and warmed up potatoes and peas; much better the second time. Also fixed banana cream pudding with bananas and whipped topping. S. Baker had asked us to help take sisters to Wilson; one had to delay her transfer by a day to get a new contact. She was coming from Nags Head, so it was after 3 when she got here and we took her and S. Johnson to Wilson. Looked for a restaurant for supper and our gps said Pup's was .6 miles away. I was hoping it was not a hole in the wall; it was pretty upscale – and expensive – but we ate anyway. The food was good. We were listening to Skousen lectures  when the G1 sisters returned the air mattress they had borrowed, and stayed for bread and jam!

Friday was district meeting and got to formally meet all the new missionaries. Read 2 Nephi 31 and discussed it, then role played how to present repentance to a nonmember. After meeting, E. Steffler gave a requested blessing to a sister then we went to iHop for lunch. I'm having the omelet next time, it looked better than my turkey-avocado sandwich. Got new neighbors upstairs; young men and women running up and down the stairs like it was nothing! Took YSA elders to a benefit spaghetti dinner at the church to help fund girls camp, then took them to Sweet Frog for yogurt.

Saturday – finally got into the pool to do water aerobics. Yes, it was cold, but I was determined. E. Steffler put in his toe and that was enough. It wasn't too bad after you got numbed up! Made another batch of bread so I could take fresh bread for those going to the first session of conference. It was mostly missionaries, but they really enjoyed it. Conference is at noon and 4 p.m. here on the East Coast, so it was lunch time. Great talks and singing in both sessions. E. Steffler went to priesthood session and a meal; almost was too late for a burger! I loved the talk by E. Eyring about the law of the fast and how the fast offering is used. Also E. Oaks parable of the sower hit home; E. Bednar's fear vs faith; E. Anderson's Hear the music of the gospel (in our hearts); E. Renlund, saint vs sinner; E. Ringwood's Shiblon, a man without guile; and E. Cook's heats knit in unity. They were all good and were things I needed to hear.

Today, Pres. Monson announcing new temples in Haiti, Ivory Coast and Thailand; wow! Loved S. Wixom's Joy in the Journey, hold fast to what you know; Teixeira's hope in the future; Causse's recognizing the hand of the Lord in everything around us, including ourselves; Neilson's prodigal son; Holland's atonement; Uchtdorf's grace of God; Pearson's true disciples; Pino's gospel perspective; Anderson's see and believe the Lord's miracles; and Nelson's Sabbath Day. I want to watch each of them again, then read the talks and mark them and make them mine. I loved conference. We even got to go to an Easter feast between sessions. It truly was a feast! Then when we got back to the apartment, you can see what awaited us – Easter basket with goodies! Don't have a clue who left it; could be several who could have. Nice to be remembered!

We love all of you. I feel we are on the downhill slope to coming home and it scares me. Have I done all that I could have? Who should I have talked to and didn't? I imagine every missionary feels like this. I need to work harder and be more diligent. Thanks to those who pray for us and miss us. Just had a surprise visit from G1 sisters; came to see if we actually got the basket, so now we know who gave it to us! Love all y'all! Elder & Sister Steffler

Easter egg basket

Someone left a basket for us!