Wow! Another week gone by; not too many left! Already have our sacrament meeting talks assigned: Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. in the Ruth building and we talk here on Sept. 13. So two talks to think about. I laid awake one night just thinking of all the fun things we have done while we have been here in North Carolina. You will have to attend one of the meetings to find out what I decided!
Last Monday we got our "last" haircuts and "last" oil change in our car. I made banana applesauce bread with the leftover bananas from Sunday; 3 large loaves to give away. Now that we are feeding 3 sets of missionaries weekly, we decided we needed to be serious about our meal planning so we have the right ingredients and don't have to run to the store every day. We fried up a large amount of chicken on Tuesday then made chicken salad with what was left and that worked for 2 more meals. So this week was pretty easy. FHE was a pool party at the Libbys in Ayden. They have an above ground pool that is pretty big. I took one of the loaves of bread. We were sitting around chatting while the kids were playing in the pool, and something started chewing on me. I thought it was mosquitos but I didn't get wheals, and it burned something fierce. So I may have gotten into some fire ants. I didn't see them, but when I saw a mosquito adding to my misery, I told E. Steffler we had to go. Stopped by Walgreens on the way home to buy something to stop the itch. Never did swell up, but they itched for several days and I had to keep rubbing the cream on them. One of the branch members got his thumb caught in machinery at work and might need surgery to reattach the tendon. Not good!
Tuesday it rained off and on all day. Our appointment canceled so we went shopping. I was glad that I had my umbrella and that it was not raining when it was time to haul the groceries into the house. The YSA elders are doing service this week by helping students move into apartments. I printed off some of the flyers with all the info about the branch on it so they could hand them out.
Wednesday the G2 sisters practiced Plan of Salvation; that was nice because we had heard Restoration several times last week. Sarah, our long-standing investigator is back in town to attend school and we tried getting together with her a couple of times. Finally got to meet-up with her Friday. It was so good to see her. She is reading the Book of Mormon occasionally; I encouraged her to read 3 Nephi where Christ visits the Nephites. She has been spot reading and hadn't read that yet. Also took her the last loaf of banana bread to share with her roomies.
Had an institute planning meeting; trying to gear up for the start on Sept. 9. Big changes coming on this front. I need to train Bro. Brimhall the 1st counselor how to keep the attendance in WISE.
Fed G1 sisters lunch Thursday. It was the trainer's one year mark. We didn't know that when we invited them. They had missed coming over to see us, teach us and eat with us. So it was nice. Sent many leftovers home with them. When you get tired of eating something, just give it to the missionaries; they are always happy to get food! Bought birthday card for a pair of twins – their 8th. Decided to take the cards to their house and got stuck in a line of cars; must have been more than 20 lined up at a stop sign and cars coming like crazy the other way. Anyway, we got the cards delivered. I think it was the evening for parents to meet their kids' teachers; it was crazy traffic. I have noticed the traffic in general is picking up due to ECU students returning.
G2 elders could not come for a practice lessons Friday because of exchanges. But district meeting was good. We always enjoy meeting with the missionaries and learning from them. They are so stalwart and faithful. Talked about using the Book of Mormon in conversion. Went over a talk by Pres. Benson, Flooding the World with the BOM. I kind of remember that. I remember he was the prophet that got us reading BOM with the family – again.
After our walk Saturday we stopped at the farmer's market. Always something interesting to buy, and you know where it was grown and that it has to be fresh. Had a nice chat with our nonmember friend who lives in our apartment complex. She just returned from visiting her son and his family in Utah and had to tell us all about it. She sang our praises to them about us. A little embarassing. Took Our Search for Happiness by M. Russell Ballard for her to read; excellent booklet on what we believe as a church. She had to give us cake to eat (a matter of hospitality, she said). We wrote a few words in the front of the book and we gave her our home address so we can keep in touch. Then I made oatmeal fudge cookies to share after the 3-hour block on Sunday. Sometimes bribery works! And it did today! All 40 cookies eaten. We had as large a group as I have ever seen at the meetings. It was great. Plus an investigator and several returnees to school.
E. Steffler has gone to a stake priesthood meeting in New Bern (about 45 min. away); hopefully he got a ride with someone. If not, hopefully someone is riding with him. New Bern is more centrally located than Kinston or Greenville in the stake.
Three more weeks and we will be on the road. We are planning on taking at least 2 weeks to sightsee on our way home. We want to see Gettysburg, Kirtland, Nauvoo, then follow the Mormon Pioneer Trail home as close as we can get without getting out of the car and walking! We bought a map that tells every stop, so hopefully there will be markers and visitors centers along the way. We were told by Sydney Jensen's family last week that Nauvoo takes at least 2 days and 3 would be better to take all the tours and learn about the history. So, we will see. If we don't do it now, I doubt that we will ever get another chance.
So, have a good week. Keep on keeping on. We love all y'all! Elder & Sister Steffler
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