August 9

What a wild week – trips to Virginia and Raleigh – all good!

Last Sunday we met a new move-in for the branch. It was a sister that Sister Glaser knew from Smithfield. Also another sister from Greenville 2nd Ward visited with a couple of her friends from Ayden. It was a hallowed Sabbath.

In preparing for a "good-bye" brunch for S. Glaser, I discovered I did not have milk. Elder Steffler came to the rescue and ran (drove) to the store to get some. Can't make crepes without milk! So we cooked link sausages and crepes, but the G2 sisters did not show up on time, so we fed the G1 sisters. G2 did finally show up – they had stopped to help a "homeless" man (who would rather have money than food!) and I cooked fresh crepes for them. Had to say good-bye to S. Glaser; kind of sad. She was in Greenville when we first arrived. She and her trainer had to find a new apartment so we could have theirs. And they helped us haul all of our "stuff" into the apt. Good memories.

Tuesday took YSA elders out for our last lunch with the elder going to Albertson. Gave them back the electric griddle we had borrowed, plus leftover crepes and package of links. They were happy! Made a batch of bread and shared some with Spanish elders and gave them the rest of the loaf. I know how to make missionaries happy!

On our walk Wednesday the temp was 75 degrees and 100% humidity. Yup, we got sweaty. Had a visit with the new move-in; she is a junior majoring in marketing and is pretty excited to be here. Got the car cleaned and the tank filled for our visit to Virginia tomorrow.

Up at 5:30 Thursday, so no exercising. Took two elders with us to the mission conference. There were 186 missionaries and 9 senior couples at the conference. I took two loaves of bread and we gave them to missionaries who had served in Greenville; they were pretty happy. From the opening song How Firm a Foundation to the closing song, what a spiritual high was felt by everyone. The rafters rang with missionary voices singing praises to their God. Sis. Baker spoke of serving with joy and optimism. Pres. Baker spoke on teaching simply and powerfully and briefly, then get out of the way and let the Spirit testify. We are made clean through keeping our covenants. Focus on why we keep the Sabbath Day holy. In the glossary of terms at the back of the pamphlets, only atonement and ordinances are listed in all three. Does that tell you of their importance? Faith and repentance are acts of agency. Without ordinances people cannot have the power of the atonement in their lives. Just a few of the thoughts I jotted down. The mission is reading the Book of Mormon together beginning Sunday and are encouraged to used different colored pencils to highlight doctrines of Christ and the Atonement. Got a new hard-covered BOM. Then to a park for a pig pickin! The temp said 85 but the real feel was 104! Sweltering! Brought back the two Kinston sisters to the church where a member picked them up to take them home. What a day! Long, hot, tiring and joyful! Loved it.

Friday was zone meeting with rain off and on all day. Four new missionaries were introduced; three in Greenville and one in Kinston. Practiced the BOM lesson and signed up for the new carpet cleaner that each zone now has. Went shopping and managed to haul all our groceries in during a lull in the rain – nice. Fed the YSA elders supper and got to know our new YSA elder. Then they role played the Restoration. I only tripped them up a couple of times! E. Steffler says I do it on purpose, but these questions just kind of pop out of my head, like the Catholic church claims it gets its priesthood authority from Peter and also the three main apostles that Christ chose, was the James Christ's brother?

Saturday we tried out the carpet cleaner and E. Steffler really worked hard on some of the stubborn spots. Then we met at the church to take YSA members to the Raleigh Temple for baptisms. Had three stuffed in our back seat and listened to the chatter all the way there. What's said in the car, stays in the car! Wonderful time with the spirit so strong. Two of our members had family names and that made it even more special. Afterwards had the ritual picture taking and Korean BBQ chicken. Still made it home by 8 and yes, we were exhausted.

Good Sabbath at church; good talks and lessons. Now to get the blog and emails all sent out! Hope this finds y'all happy, healthy and enjoying the summer. School starts soon (spoiler)! Love all y'all. Elder & Sister Steffler