About the pic: Reminder to self – must stand up, not sit down, for photos in future! Taken Dec. 8 at YSA Christmas party.
Dec. 7, fast Sunday. Good branch council meeting (talked about what days we were having meetings, again) and fast and testimony meeting. Elder Steffler and I bore our testimonies, mostly about how thankful we are to be living in this country that was prepared for the restoration. Especially since we had visited Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown. Went to gospel essentials class and had the YSA elders teach it; had 2 recent converts and 1 investigator. We were able to watch the Christmas devotional from facebook. It worked fine, where logging onto lds.org in the past we have frozen up. Excellent talks and wonderful music.
Monday we walked 2 miles behind the senior center; chilly with a breeze. We are used to walking after our "vacation" last week. Got the Christmas photos from Nate and family. Baked a batch of bread and invited the YSA elders to have fresh bread, then sent the rest of the loaf home with them. Mailed 25 Christmas cards and bought some groceries. We took squishy sand and an Indian beaded key chain to the gift exchange at FHE. Had a dinner catered by one of the families from 1st Ward whose daughter goes to the branch. Had a good turn out (food will do that, sometimes). Took photos and put together gingerbread houses. Elder Bauman and I managed to put one together that did not fall over (like a couple of others did). One of the members got the keychain who knows its value, because he is part Cherokee. We got a can of 3 kinds of popcorn and DVD of "My Girl" – the only thing I remember from that movie is when Jamie Lee Curtis tells the young girl that a girl can never wear too much blue eye shadow!
Tuesday we walked around the complex, breezy and cold. Worked on Restoration lesson. Got a call to rescue G2 sisters – the ones who got in a car wreck and are without a car. They were stranded at an investigator's home; could we pick them up and take them home? Of course! One of the sisters did not have a warm coat on and the other's back was hurting from the wreck. Then helped the YSA elders teach a potential, who was not at home and had given them a "no longer working" phone number. So visited a couple of brothers (members) who were very cordial about the drop-in visit. Had a lesson with an investigator – I know, how awesome is that! WE TAUGHT A LESSON! Actually, she almost asked us. We told her that if she ever wanted the lessons, we would be happy to teach her. And she called! We used the Restoration pamphlet to guide us through and a member was with us and added her testimony. She had already been reading Book of Mormon with a friend who is a member, so she is really ready to hear the gospel. She accepted the baptism challenge, but wanted to wait on a date. We were walking on air. Got to talk with Eliza while the rest of her family were at church; they are well.
Wednesday we walked the complex – again. Another chilly day; you think it might be winter? Decided to get the blackberry jam made from the 4 small boxes of blackberries that we bought Monday (on sale 2/$5). It only took 15 minutes, start to finish, and it is yummy. Had G1 elders for a practice lesson and lunch. We were investigators having the first discussion. E. Colliers (the new missionary) didn't say much, but did bear testimony a couple of times. Fed them cut up fresh fruit, hamburger stew and fresh bread and jam and honey butter. Then I brought out ice cream and brownies (left over from stake conference and in the freezer). After lunch, a nap, then made a pumpkin roll to take to institute. While it was cooling we filled the car with fuel and took our packages to mail to the kids. G1 sisters came to discus volunteer options to keep busy over the holidays. I made the cream cheese filling while we talked. The YSA elders asked us to go with them to visit a member's home before institute. They had a demo with cotton balls and alcohol to show how the spirit protects us; very visual! Institute met at the teacher's home; no lesson, just treats and Christmas story and talk. Started writing Christmas cards for branch members.
Thursday: Walked complex again – boring! Read BOM with our member and she remembered the story about the harlot Isabel, because her favorite grandmother's name was Isabel. That afternoon we took the G1 sisters to Stokes, about 20 miles out of town, very rural. Visited with 3 sweet sisters, 2 members and 1 investigator. One was black and loves to talk and tell everyone about what she has learned from the girls; one is inactive but still believes; one has 2 kids and is pregnant. Her boyfriend left her when she got baptized. Three very nice sisters who desperately need the gospel. Took the sisters to Noodles & Co., and I ordered something Asian and peanuty and very spicy hot. Got jackets that Lena had made for Pres. and Sis. Baker (mission president) and mailed. So we wrapped them up to take to Goldsboro on Friday to give to them.
Friday no exercise; on the road to Goldsboro at 8:30 for Christmas (zone) conference with the Bakers and Elder and Sister Snow of the 70. All the missionaries lined up and shook hands with all of them. The theme was Faith to Find. We are in the "hour" of our mission; listen to what the investigators are saying to you and address their needs. Use He is the Gift for finding. Had North Carolina BBQ (vinegar based) for lunch with coleslaw, potato salad and cake. Cake was good. Sister Snow led off the afternoon session (after photos of both zones were taken). Missions are learning to do hard things. Write in journal what I learned that day. Faith chases away Fear. Hymns increase and bless your life. Rejection teaches patience. Elder Snow did a great visual activity with chain of conversion. Find a way for less actives to serve. Chapter 4 PMG, power of Holy Ghost in our lives; talked about all his names and found scriptures that used his various names. Pres. Baker had volunteered us to be interviewed by Elder Snow after the conference. Nothing scary; just wanted to know how we were doing and if we were enjoying our mission. Of course! Gave the jacket present to Pres. Baker. After we got home, G1 sisters came over to discuss a yard art service we are working on together.
Saturday: no exercise again! On the road at 6 to be at a member's home who lives one hour away. Helped him with a yard sale. He had most of his items displayed in his yard when we got there. He lives at the end of a very rutty lane; has no running water; no gas for stove to cook; he does has electricity and an electric heater to warm the trailer. He made hot chocolate for us by warming up water on a hot plate. After half an hour we drove 3 miles down the road to buy breakfast and go to the bathroom. No one else had come so we decided to leave. I don't know how he thinks he can survive there. On our way back we stopped at a couple of stores to buy supplies for the yard art service. Met the sisters at the home with 3 boxes, plastic tablecloths, bows and ribbon and packaging tape. We decorated the boxes and pegged them down. The member was going to paint "Who is the Gift? Christ and mormon.org." Should make for an interesting yard art. E. Steffler and I were in jeans all day; really felt kind of weird! It has been a long time. I made bread and wrote some more Christmas cards; read through Plan of Salvation. Our investigator wants another lesson Sunday!
This brings us to end of another week. They seem to be flying by! Got photo cards from Nate and family and DJ and family; good to see the grandkids growing up. Lena sent a card along with the jackets, thanks again! I'm adding a scripture a day to the family photo tree; I'll have to take another photo to show you when the month is done. Don't get too stressed out over Christmas; relax and enjoy family and the spirit of the season. We love each and every one of you. God bless! Elder & Sister Steffler
