sorry some of my posts are not in order.  Hopefully Lisa can fix it when I get home

Dear Family and Friends, Nov. 5 2014

It is starting to get cold here but nothing like at home. A jacket is not even necessary all the time.

It is so wonderful that it rained in Oregon. It is a miracle to start your fast and have it rain that day. It was a wonderful birthday present for Elder Johnston on Saturday.

Elder Johnston was sent a package on his birthday—we picked up and had the Elders with us. He handed it to one of the Elders to open it while we were driving. They replaced the present with missionary pamphlets and Book of Mormons. Then they had him open it. “Oh, this is very nice, I can always use these.” He said. The Elders really could not contain themselves and really started laughing. What a fun thing to do. The elders are so great and their teaching is superb.

We are experiencing many wonderful things here. The spirit is strong in many of the homes we visit. We have been showing the video” Because of Him” on mormon.org. Such a powerful message of Jesus Christ. It really has made a nice feeling be with us as we show it to people.

We have some wonderful people here in our area. We feel so grateful to be here.

We had a young man drown last week. He and his brother was very close. The mom was very concerned about the brother, because he was not showing very much emotion and had not cried. She finally asked him if he was okay. His answer was so tender. “I remember what I have been taught at Church. I know where my brother is and that I will see him again”

What a wonderful testimony for all of us. The Lord does not leave us alone if we can only ask for His spirit to be with us and except it in our hearts.

May the Lord be with each of you in your own trials each day. We love and miss you.

The Johnston Missionaries in South Carolina  

Nov. 11, 2014

I have not told you about our apartment. It has two bedroom, a very nice kitchen (small) and the living room and Dinning room are together. It had been freshly painted and new flooring and carpet put in. the stove, fridge, and microwave are new. The living room furniture are new and a very nice table and chairs, the bedroom furniture is very nice also. We have a washer and dryer, which is wonderful not having to take our clothes to a Laundromat.

We walk up 17 steps to our apartment---but this way we are not hearing footsteps over us all the time. I appreciate that a lot because our floor is very creaky.

We have some very nice neighbors and a good safe neighborhood. We could go walking at night and be safe. We are in a very nice subdivision. This used to be a farm, so the area is not too old. There are 4 apartment buildings with 8 apartments in each building. The Elders live here and also another Senior Couple.

there are trees on three sides of the subdivision. And probably water too. In the wooded area, there are wild pigs, lots of snakes, raccoons, deer and maybe a few black bears also. So I do not think I will be walking through the woods even though they are very pretty---to LOOK at.

The Mission set us up in the apartment with all of the kitchen supplies that are needed.

There are several groceries stores here plus a Walmart. Also the gas prices are much lower here than we are used to. Yesterday we paid $2.69 a gal. It is a good thing it is low---we have put a lot of miles on our car. Our members live up to 30 minutes away in two different directions. Then to find another person you need to drive another 20 to 30 mins. The countryside is very beautiful to look at and even the homes in the towns are beautiful. So the extra driving is entertaining. Marion does have the oldest homes. Marion was established in 1789, and some of the original mansions are still here.

We have been having some wonderful times with the Elders and Sister Missionaries. They are such great teachers and love the people. It is really an honor for us to accompany them on their visits.

We are making great friends and wonderful memories here.

We miss ya'all take care---love the Johnston Missionaries  

Nov 17, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

We have been seen many miracles happen while we have been here.

On Elder Johnston's birthday it rained a lot at home. Sterling had planted a major part of our wheat into dry ground and was needing moisture very badly---the rain was at a perfect time for the wheat. What a blessing to have the rain come for us and everyone else. Now the snow covering the wheat will even be a greater miracle for the winter wheat. Heavenly Father indeed is watching over us.

There was another huge miracle here. Our Sister Missionaries were involved in a very serious car accident. They were really being watched over and protected because with only minor problems they are okay. The other driver had to be life flighted and was in the hospital several days.

There is a new Elder here. He is very good and we really enjoy working with the Elders very much. Such an inspiring thing to be able to be around them.

There are many of our visits each day that are not so great, but we feel if we can have one good thing happen a day---we are blessed. One night we were looking for an inactive member—in the dark---our GPS took us to what looked like a dead end. Elder Johnston saw a man just getting home, so he went over to ask for directions. It really is a polite thing to tell people who we are and why we are looking for a person. We look quite official in a suit, you know. I feel like sometimes people wonder what we are doing. Anyway, elder Johnston asked him what church he went to. He said he was looking for a different church to go to. We gave him some reading material and went back a week later. He is so kind and hopefully is interested. It is so wonderful meeting new people and trying to be of service to people.

We went with the Elders and helped rake up leaves for a lady today. It started out cold but the sun came out and it was fun.

Hope you are not freezing too much at home. We think of you all with loving thoughts because we miss you.

Love ya'all, the Johnston's   

__._,_.___

Dec 8, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

Oh my, it is Monday again!!!

the time is flying by---we are so busy, but the work is so fulfilling. We raked leaves for a lady---made me wonder what my leaves at home are doing (under snow???). At least I hope there is snow!

We have received so many nice emails from friends. Thank ya'll for thinking of us.

One of the Elders asked us what the best part of our Mission was. I think for me is that the two of us can spend 24-7 together. We have had so many enjoyable times together. I really appreciate my husband a lot.

Rochelle (our daughter) just sent us a wonderful Christmas Present. She made gifts for us to give to our friends here. What a fantastic fun thing to receive!!! we will have so much fun giving them at Christmas time. Thank you Rochelle.

Our sister Missionaries have left us. The one young lady needed to go home so she could mend from the accident, the other has 6 weeks left and was sent to another area. We will miss them, but they are both in better places for now. The car accident was very serious and we are just very grateful they were kept safe.

I love Christmas time. The lights at night are so beautiful everywhere we go. The Church has put out a beautiful (short) video on christmas.mormon.org ---if you have not had a chance to see it---please look on line and watch it. It has a great message for each of us for Christmas. We are able to show it to people we see because we have downloaded it on our Ipad. Sister Peterson sent us a beautiful email with her feeling of Christmas and her love of Jesus Christ. May each of us have a peaceful Christmas full of love for our friends and those who we don't even know. Greet others you meet with a smile and act happy to see them. The responses you receive make it SO worth while. We miss everyone and especially this time of year—but we are trying to bring some joy to others here, so that makes it worthwhile.

We have a grandson that is on a Mission in Oregon, and another grandson going into the MTC at Provo, Utah on Wednesday. May they both feel our love for them, as they will be away from their families this Christmas time also.

We love you all and please know we are thinking of each of you.

With love, The Johnston Missionaries

Sister Christensen, sister Parker 

Elder Smith and Elder Retker

Elder and Sister Nolan

these are the Missionaries that were serving here when we
arrived in Marion, South Carolina

This is our good friend, Glen Arthur.  It is hard to catch him home but is worth the effort because he is such a good story teller. He coaches softball for girls---and has many tales about the experiences he has had.  there was a fire in his home--and he would not let us come inside until last week.  we only had a few moments to spare and was dropping off a video for him---but he would not take any excuses ---we had to go inside and see that his living room was ready for people.   He really is sweet.  His wife passed away some time ago and he has stopped coming to church.  we are trying to help him realize that he is needed back with us.

Heather Smith

The Fall Fest at the Marion branch   at church.   there was a wonderful turn out very successful.  there was a Chili Cook off.  Elder Nolan and Elder Johnston were the Judges

Lasonyia Williams daughter

Gloria Hayes daughter Serenity

Heather smiths husband and twins

Charlie Joe  Lane (Freeman)

Pres. Cabaniss's boy in the back
Heather Smith boys in front

Heather Cabaniss and Sister Nolan

Robin Beck   so sweet

the Sister Missionaries reaching into our trunk!!!

Our trunk made up for trick or treating