Armory

Some of the tools used in foundry.

Dec. 7

What a wild week! First about the photo posted below. Innocent that it looks, beware where it can lead. More about that Monday.

First: Nov. 30, Sunday, no branch meetings (most of the branch members have either gone home or are attending with their families in their home wards) so we went to a family ward. Not use to the crying babies. That didn't take long to forget about! Next, the choir. It sang "For the Beauty of the Earth" that our stake choir had sung a while ago – it is not an easy number, and they only had 20-25 members in the choir, but it sounded wonderful. It was good to attend a family ward again. Had a dinner appointment with the Lewis': roast, red potatoes, green beans and cranberry salad, all very good. The YSA elders also enjoyed the meal, then we had an introduction of sorts meeting and went over what the sisters had told us about their contacts. Sis. Lewis made a blackberry cobbler while we were talking and we enjoyed that afterwards, with a little ice cream.

We are so proud of our family Christmas photo tree; sorry it turned out blurry in the photo. Reprints on regular paper, not so good. But I can sit in my recliner and look at the fam and enjoy everyone.

Dec. 1, Monday. Can't believe it is December! Went on a walk along our "new" path. We walked to the end of it; instead of turning around and walking back, we thought, we will take the road going right and circle around and get back to the car. The path took 30 minutes; the "circle around" took another hour! Have I mention before that there is no grid layout of Greenville? We were both hurting by the time we made it back to the car – ankles, knees, hips, back – you get the picture! For FHE we picked up Tyrei (who had worked all weekend and was happy about that) and had Chic-fil-A for all the members. We also warmed up the leftovers from stake conference. The YSA played games then volleyball.

Tuesday we had a car appointment at 8 a.m., so no walking. E. Steffler went to the Ford dealership and I stayed home to make bread and get started on the laundry. He only took about an hour and I had barely finished showering and dressing. I did get a batch of bread made. Then we were having the carpet cleaned, so we moved the kitchen tables and chairs into the kitchen. Costly day of cleaning corn out of car's fuel and cleaning carpet, but both needed done. And the carpet looks amazingly clean; the car runs better, too.

Wednesday we walked around the apartment complex. Visited Joanna and read Alma 37 with her. Made another batch of bread (my assignment for Saturday was homemade bread and butter). Have you ever tried hot sweet dill pickles? You take dill pickles and chunk them like for sweet pickles, then process them as you would cukes for sweet pickles – only these have some jalapenos sliced in also. They helped the turkey casserole go down, for the second time! Got the car filled up for our trip and went to Institute committee meeting. All we do is talk about our numbers attending and what is for snack afterwards. I volunteered to make a pumpkin roll for next week, as it will be our last institute for the semester. Sister Walker covered D&C 68-74 then read a story from "12 Gifts of Christmas" by Richard Siddoway; she read Violet's story, very touching. Sis. Walker has volunteered her home (dressed to the hilt for Christmas, I have heard) for the last session. Had a nonmember text that she wanted us to teach her the lessons, so maybe we will be "real" missionaries!

Thursday we had a short walk hoping it would help our legs weather the ride to Williamsburg, VA. Got on the road at 9:45, so no early start for us. Pulled into the hotel about 2, got settled then headed for Colonial Williamsburg. We started in the gunsmith and foundry; showed all the handwork involved in making a rifle back in the 17th and 18th centuries. Then the Getty House where we saw what the higher class of people lived like; a few fancy carpets and china and harpsichord. Next was the Courthouse where misdemeanors were tried. E. Steffler played the part of a Presbyterian who was tried because he had not informed the court he was a dissenter from Church of England. Fined 5 shillings or 10 lashings; still had to pay a tithing to the Anglican church for helping the poor and needy. Visited several stores: bindery, milliner, Capitol, where the House of Burgesses (commoners) and Governor and his panel met (separately). Walked a mile back to the car and to supper. Rested then went swimming in the indoor pool; oh, how I have missed being in the water, and sat for a while in the hot tub. Nice after the long trip and walking.

Friday we had breakfast in the motel, not too bad: bacon, scrambled eggs and a muffin and juice. Got lost trying to find Colonial Williamsburg, so went to Visitor Center and rode the bus; much nicer and not as much walking. Got off at the tavern stop – only 4 taverns nearby! Went to the wig shop where you could be measured for a wooden head shaped like yours; then shave your head and cover with a cloth then place the wig. They will even wash and set the wig when it gets dirty. Wigs were made of human hair, yak hair and horse hair. We told them, no thanks! Visited the Raleigh Tavern for a program, "A Georgian Christmas," King George in England and George Washington in America. There was singing, dancing and stories. Visited weaving and spinning shop; she showed how to spin wool and cotton and carded some cotton. Very interesting. Caught the bus and returned to the car. BTW, the decorations on the houses and shops were beautiful; all natural materials used to make wreaths and swags – fruits, nuts, wine corks, anything natural. Drove to Jamestown where we stopped at the Glass House to watch two glass blowers make a pitcher, so we had to buy one like they were making. Then to Historic Jamestown. Watched a short film in the visitor center and had lunch. Walked through the museum where various articles were displayed that have been found in diggings. Walked about the grounds of the original Jamestown and took photos. Very interesting, the history of the place makes one very grateful that God's hand was in the founding of our country. We were very tired, so went to hotel, short swim and hot tub, then watched a movie on TV. A chick flick about Christmas and romance. Lights out at 10. I was surprised we made it that long!

Saturday we were up and on the road by 9 and arrived at the mission office/church 5 minutes to spare for our senior couples activity. Had items for missionaries lined out on a table: bag, colored duct tape, chap stick, white out, pen, sticky note pad, Christmas card from 1st presidency, hot chocolate packet, peppermints, Skittles, Snickers, Hersey chocolates and candy cane. Just before handing them out at special Christmas activity (ours is Dec. 23) they will add a mini loaf of sweet bread and Cuties. The bagging went quickly, only about 1/2 hour. So we started our lunch about 11: 3 kinds of soup, green salad, frog-eye salad, bread and butter, and 3 kinds of dessert. All very yummy. Left around noon to return home. A good little vacation. Stopped to gas up the car for $2.41 a gal.! That's 20 cents cheaper than Greenville. Stopped at the Dismal Swamp rest area and walked the 1/4-mile nature hike, just to keep our legs limbered up. Home about 3 and finished up on some Christmas stuff.

A very busy week, an enjoyable week, even the driving was not too bad. Easy for me to say, since I did not do any of the driving! E. Steffler was tired, though. Almost at our half-way mark. It has been great most of the time. I'm getting a little homesick and missing the fam as we get closer to Christmas. Having their photos on the wall is not helping that, but I enjoy looking at them and praying that all is well back home. Thanks for all the prayers for us. We love all y'all and so does God. Have a blessed Christmas season, and remember, He is the Gift. christmas.mormon.org Great video and reminder. Elder & Sister Steffler

The path

Be aware of unknown paths.

Family Christmas tree

Photos of family units with Nativity in the middle.

November 30

A week in review:

Nov. 23, up early so we could be in New Bern by 8 a.m. to help Bro. Walker set up the luncheon for the single adults. On the road by 7:10 and had to hurry, but we made it! Thanks to GPS. People we already there setting up easels with pictures of children and Christ. The convention center is huge and located along the Neuse River. Long bridge to get over the river and to New Bern, which is sort of located in the middle of the stake. Not really, but enough that the ones in Harker's Island don't have to travel so far, like Kinston. The stake building won't hold all the stake so they rent the convention center. We helped Bro. Walker load trolleys with our paper goods, his coolers and water, a little elevator to reach the upper deck, then through the center to the back patio to set up. It is a lovely view from the patio over the river. The center provided tables, tablecloths and ruffle skirting so that it looked pretty good. He had a large roaster pan full of spicy meatballs and one with BBQ wienies. The RS president had cordoned off 40 seats for the young singles and most of them were filled. Most of the YSA had met at the church and carpooled to New Bern. The Primary chorus sang about 15 minutes of prelude and another song during the meeting. There was a camera on the speaker with blown up pictures on both sides behind him. There was an upper balcony that I did not see, but most of the missionaries sat up there. Pres. and Sis. Baker spoke, then two Primary children, the stake Primary president and Pres. Walker. Good talks, good spirit, good food afterwards. Had sub sandwiches delivered and the singles brought sides and desserts. We helped clean up then headed home. Almost made it, then Tyrei called for a ride from Pres. Lewis' homes to his home. His trailer was locked up tight, so dropped him off at his grandma's. Home to rest!

Monday we found another path to walk behind the park where the YSA have had a few activities. It is paved going along the side and back of the park, then there is a dirt path that goes about a mile. We did not go to the end, because then we would have had to walk all the way back. We need to work up to that, though. It was quiet and peaceful and the temperature was 68! There was high humidity and it rained off and on all day. Had appointment with the cardiologist. She went over the tests that were done; no blockages that she could see. One area of the bottom of the heart was iffy; to be definitive, a catherization would need to be done or she could try some other meds to see if the heart could be stimulated a little more. We opted for the meds and a watch and wait. Next appt is in January. E. Steffler is suppose to cut back on salt and fats. So we ate healthy food at Noodles & Co., then got haircuts. Made a lemon cake for the graduation tomorrow. A bunch of changes at transfers this Wednesday: The YSA will change from sister missionaries to elders, the zone leaders will be training a new missionary, Sis. Jensen will be a sister trainer in Goldsboro, Sis. Evans goes to Virginia Beach and Sis Bowen to New Bridge. We are taking Sis. Harrison (Kinston missionary) to the mission office for training to be a trainer. FHE was writing letters to missionaries; about a dozen YSA showed up; then they played volleyball, of course!

Tuesday wanted to do a workout and soak in hot tub, but the fitness center is closed for repairs and upgrade. So took our swimsuits and towels back to the apartment and just walked. The graduation luncheon we had planned got changed to a brunch because of conference calls, so we all went to ihop for breakfast: Sisters Bowen, Bunker, Evans and Jensen. It worked out OK; E. Steffler still got his steak! Then gave a cake to each set of sisters with a "3" on top to signify their 3 month graduation from being trained. The sisters and elders are switching apartments – the sisters apt was larger and there will be 5 elders living in it. But today presented a problem: 2 beds and 6 sisters! We loaned our 2 air mattresses and Pres. Lewis loaned his air matresses, so everyone got to be comfortable. Supper and correlation with Pres. Lewis. Went over their contacts and info for the new elders. Had shredded beef tacos, yummy. Then filled the car with gas in preparation for Wednesday's trip.

The new electric alarm clock work wonderfully at 4:30 a.m. We had to hustle to be at the car at 5:05, loaded up with 20 mini loaves of sweet bread and bottled water and granola bars and headed to the "new" sisters' apartment. It was the elders apartment until 3:30 yesterday; the Kinston sisters stayed there and we picked up Sis. Harrison to take her to Portsmouth, VA. It rained ALL the way there, 150 miles, mostly in the dark. Not fun, but we got there with 45 min. to kill; better than 15 min. late! Saw some favorite missionaries that have worked in Greenville; fun. Got to listen to transfer meeting and see 25 new missionaries meet their trainers. Took the scenic route down Hwy 13. Had to take the sisters to Kinston; the GPS got us lost – we were traveling out in the middle of a field, according to Miss Naggie! Had to gas up the car again, then head home – beat.

Happy Thanksgiving! Started the day with a nice walk at the senior center. Bought a few items at the grocery store on the way home. The one member we had hoped to feed dinner to bailed because he didn't have gas money. But the new YSA elders were glad to be fed: Elders Bauman and Siddoway. It will be interesting to work with elders instead of sisters. Got to talk with Lena and Deana. DJ and family were involved with a turkey trot in the morning then had dinner with Ed in the afternoon. We had quite a bit of leftovers from our 10# turkey.

Friday up and walking, then district meeting. Met the zone leaders during our walk; they were headed to Kinston's district meeting. Took chocolate chip banana bars wrapped individually and told the missionaries they were not to eat it until they were in their apts. Trying to be strictly obedient. Started without the sisters; the G2 sisters were involved in a wreck Tuesday and are without a car, so the G1 sisters had to pick them up. They came in during the opening song; it sounded much better with the sisters singing also! Introduced new missionaries: Sister Fife, Elders Ballentyne, Bauman and Siddoway. Introduced The First Gift and given Christmas passalong cards. After a nap, went shopping for a care package for Kierra Spruill; got it mailed and boughnt boxes and stamps for mailing. G1 sisters returned the air matresses and chatted for about half an hour. Then YSA elders came to get deep fat fryer we were not using. Then G1 elders came by to introduce us to their greenie, E. Collier; fed them some ice cream. Dan talked to Eliza and Ed; wonderful talking with family.

Saturday walked at the senior center again. Saw the farmers market was open, so stopped by and bought a few things. I put up the family Christmas tree: family pictures with Nativity picture in the middle. Still need to get hanger hooks to hand some small ornaments on the garland. Also got a swag to hang on the door, instead of a wreath that cost $35! We had printed the family pictures that were taken last Christmas. Got a call from G1 sisters; they needed to visit some members in Ayden and didn't have the miles, so could we take them? Sure; no one was home, so we went to Sweet Frog for yogurt. About 8:30 we got a call from the G1 sisters; could they come talk and receive some counsel? Hopefully what we said helped them. Elder Steffler led out with experiences and gave them each a blessing. Have I ever said that missions are hard?

Our mission is not quite as hard as it is for the young sisters. We are use to each other and have an eternal love for each other. That really helps! We try to do what we can to help out. And we make sure to get in a nap every day. That really helps.

We love our family and have enjoyed talking with each of them this week. Lena and family were going to Salt Lake to see the temple lights. Hopefully that was a worthwhile trip. Deana's husband, Ken, is home recuperating from hip surgery. Eliza and family stayed home and fixed dinner. I'm sure Nate and family were with Grandma Bell, maybe in Jordan Valley, if the snow is not too bad. So our family is learning to get along without us. And we weathered the holiday, too. Our weather has been cold a few days, but has started to warm up. The usual temps are mid 40s to mid 60s, so not too bad. But we did have a couple of mornings in the 20s, really cold for here! Hope this finds all well. We love you and pray for you. God bless you. Elder & Sister Steffler

Walking path

We walk this path two or three times a week. It is not all like this but the pavement allows us to walk when it is rainy.

New Bern

Stake conference at Riverfront convention center.