Death cake

Sister missionaries made it for us at district meeting.

September 6

The count down begins in earnest! One week to go!

Last Monday we made a quick trip to Raleigh to have Elder Steffler's hearing aids checked one more time. Rained most of the way going and coming. Nothing really unusual about that – and the rain is needed, so we don't complain too much. Easy for me to say – I don't drive! Had to do one more shopping at Sam's Club because we had to feed missionaries this week. Gas was $2.15; love to see it coming down instead of the other way. Had hot dogs and chili (without the beans!) for FHE and Jake had a new game – involving a ball, of course! The Moodys fixed everything and even did the clean up themselves. The young adults had a good time chatting, eating and playing the new game. About 35 in attendance; most we have ever seen. Pierce D'Auria was there; Clark had brought him from work because his scooter had broken down; we took him home.

Hello September! Started the month out with a swim in cold water. Didn't bother me; I like the water cold. Did hear some whining from E. Steffler! Hurried and made bread before the YSA elders came for lunch and practice lesson on The Gospel. Also made a batch of cinnamon rolls to take to some members and nonmembers: Collin, Mandi, Tyrei, Megan, Sarah Casey and Sarah Saunders. Sarah C. was having "FHE" with some friends; Jonathan was one of them and he was cooking. I offered to cook for an apt of men on Thursday: John and Jake Stevens, Ian and Dillon.

We were late getting our walk in Wednesday. The temp said 71 but the real feel was like 95! We had planned to take Joanna shopping, but Dane was home sick, so moved it to Saturday. G2 sisters came for a practice lesson on Book of Mormon. Did pretty good. We told them that next week is the graduation lunch and Sis. Oleson teared up; she has been to our apt about every week since she got here five months ago. Got a call from the mission president; he needed help for a sister who is going home for health reasons and could she stay with us for several days? Of course; do you say no to the mission president? I didn't think so! Her companion will go with the trainer sisters in Havelock. So got the guest bedroom cleaned out so she could move in.

Thursday we helped one of the sisters in the branch who got a couch from her grandmother and the furniture movers could only bring it in the morning. They came at 9:30 which worked out really well; we let them in and everything was good. Had lunch with the Lillywhites in Washington. Steak, salad, corn on the cob plus apple pie and ice cream. The pie was really good – she had made it. Pres. Baker is thinking about moving them to Greenville to help in the branch when we leave. Met with the sisters in the afternoon and made the exchange – with pictures, of course. Had to cancel our appointment with the apt of men, but that was okay; also had to cancel G2 elders lunch and practice.

Friday we decided not to go to zone meeting, but E. Steffler had to take the necklace to Sister Rawling that she left in our car at transfer and a loaf of bread to compensate for the lunch for the G2 elders. We had decided since we were not going to meeting, we could go shopping with Joanna. Had to wait for Pierce to get dressed so we could take him to work (his scooter is still not fixed). Then to Penney's for the spree. Ended up with underwear, 4 blouses and 2 skirts; not bad for one and a half hours. E. Steffler spent almost that much money on bullets at the sports store.

Saturday we walked at the senior center park then went to the farmer's market. Had to run out to Joanna's to return her keys and take a shirt that I can't wear. Hurried to the post office to mail S. Blackburn's two packages; I forgot to mail the letter to DJ. I was only concerned about S. Blackburn. So put it in the mail box here at the apt complex and it won't go out until Tuesday. It will still beat us home. S. Blackburn talked with her mother who is visiting a daughter in Texas and was upset that she would not be home until Wednesday. She is having a hard time adjusting to having time to herself; we don't have every minute planned (with 2 or 3 back-ups). But she decided she could finish reading the Book of Mormon so she has settled down.

Today was a very uplifting sacrament meeting. Pres. Walker was in attendance and he wanted several people to bear their testimonies. Elder Steffler and I were invited to, which surprised me because we are speaking next week. S. Blackburn also bore her testimony and announced she was going home because of health reasons. Pres. Walker finished by telling some of Joseph Smith's story and how he and his wife had visited Kirtland and Hyrum and some of the events that happened there. Very powerful. Sunday School was about Saul/Paul and Stephen, how the church accommodated its growth. R.S. saw the video of Pres. Hinckley giving the Family Proclamation the first time to the R.S. General Women's Broadcast in September of 1995.

It was a very good Sabbath Day; fasting always brings the Spirit more abundantly. Spent more than an hour with our friend Mariana and took her an Indian trinket; she was very appreciative. She gave us a Catholic book to read.

That takes care of another week. Looking forward to seeing friends and family at home. We love all y'all and wish God's choicest blessings upon you. Love, Elder and Sister Steffler

Missionaries

Sisters Johanson Dalton Blackburn and Villegas.

Cape Lookout

Learned about Harkers Island from a native islander.

Wild flowers

Can you tell where we went from the flowers? Visit http://danandkayesmission.blogspot.com to find out!

August 30

As you see from the photo, the sisters in the branch had an enrichment night this week and we toasted marshmallows and made s'mores. Also did a little game with M&Ms so we got to learn a little about each sister. We had 15 in attendance, and that is a lot for us!

For Home Evening Monday the branch bought Jet's Pizza. They make a really good BBQ chicken to die for. I'm not sure what they do, but the dough is thick and chewy and the BBQ is sweet, but they also make good regular pizza, too. Had about 35 young singles attend, a few were nonmembers and some recent converts. Good turn out. That makes me happy!

We fed four sets of missionaries and three sets did practice lessons and the other set gave a good thought that lightened our hearts. They are all getting bolder; we can tell from week to week that they are improving. Made a batch of cinnamon rolls and fed them to the missionaries all week; of course we had to eat with them . . . Not a good idea; no more baked goodies!

The temperatures have been moderate all week: high 80s in the day and low 70s in the night. Not much rain, either, which helps the humidity stay moderate. The swimming pool water is even cooling down! I love it! Elder Steffler, not so much. August usually gets 6 inches of rain; only a little over 2 inches have fallen this year and the lawns and fields are looking rough.

Friday after district meeting we went to a senior couples retreat. It started in New Bern (about 45 min. away) where we had a catered meal and meeting at a motel where we all stayed. Had 11 couples attend. Had a talk by the 2nd counselor in the mission presidency, testimonies by the two wives of the counselors and then a discussion led by Pres. Baker with the help of his wife. A talk by Elder John K. Carmack, "Lord, Increase Our Faith." The disciples asked the Master how can we increase our faith. He answered it by relating the parable of the unprofitable servant. (Luke 17:7-10) It is a very good talk with great insights. The one I really like is this: No matter how difficult and impossible the circumstances we face, we must retain the attitude that we are still in the Lord's debt. Just keeping the commandments, while laudable, may be enough to maintain our faith but not enough to increase it. We must continue sacrificing and serving with no thought of reward. We do it out of love and gratitude for the Lord, to whom we owe everything."

Some very good observations. I was kind of hoping that we could serve a mission -- then rest! (JK-ing) I have learned so much on this mission. Had a chat with President about when we will be going home. He invited us to come to the mission home with the 5 other missionaries who are going home this transfer. There will be supper and a testimony meeting. Then we can head for home the next day. So we will load up everything Monday the 14th and head to Chesapeake! All of a sudden, it seems very close!

On Saturday the group took the ferry to Cape Lookout (see photo) where Pres. Hancock, 1st counselor in the mission presidency gave a talk about the church in Harker's Island. He has also written a book and gave each couple a copy. His wife made a clam bake for us with clams, shrimp, chicken, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn on the cob all steamed together. Homemade rolls to die for and molasses cake or fig cake for dessert. All yummy! We gave each of them a mission hankie to show our appreciation. Traveled home and crashed. Being out in the wind and sun really tires you out, it does me anyway.

Today for church, since it was the 5th Sunday, we did not have branch council, so we had missionary correlation instead. A good turnout for church again. I could get use to this! Next week is Labor Day weekend, so maybe the attendance will not be so good. Two of the talks today were by members returning to BYU-I this coming week. The third is a returned missionary from the Salt Lake South mission, Spanish-speaking. He is Hispanic, so no problem with the language. There are several romances going on that are fun to watch. Only one has set a date for the wedding in November. We will see how many others finally get down to popping the question!

Had a yummy dinner today at the Paries. Sis. Paries is 2nd counselor in the R.S. and Bro. Paries is on the high council over the missionary work. We had lasagna with the YSA elders also, plus a yummy peach cobbler. How many times can I say yummy before it loses it meaning?

That wraps up our week. Only two more entries before we head for home! Yikes! We love all y'all and look forward to seeing you again soon. God bless. Elder & Sister Steffler

Aug. 23

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