South Carolina Mission

Hello---

It has been a long 3 weeks---since we have left home. Many exciting things have happened to us.

The MTC experience was the very best. We made some very dear friends there that will forever be close to our hearts. There were 58 couples in our group, going from Hawaii to Russia. A few were staying in the States.

Pres. Hinckley made a profound statement about Senior Couples “ You are the BEST we have---BUT you are ALL we have!!!

Elder Packer said “ the Lord will bless you on your missions and will “Be attended by angels from beyond the veil.”

Driving to South Carolina was a nice treat. We have driven to Colorado many times but from there it was a new adventure. The crops and the huge farming areas amazed us.

In St. Louis we wanted to see the Louis and Clark Museum under the Arch and found a place to stay close by. The next morning it was rush hour and being RIGHT DOWN TOWN!!! and raining really hard, not knowing where we were going and lots of road construction--- having cars honking at us---we decided we would take a picture of the Arch from inside the car while driving and get on our way!!

We did have a mini miracle as we were driving thru a big city. We were on our way down the freeway at the last exit to pull off when we looked at the gas gauge---it was on EMPTY!!! as we pulled off the exit the buzzer came on! We would have been many miles before we came to another gas station. How watched over we were.

As we got to the Southern states we were impressed by how green it was and TREES everywhere. So beautiful. We saw so many beautiful homes.

When we drove into our apartment complex—there were the Elders and Senior Couple ready to move our things in. We certainly appreciated them because our apartment is upstairs and (I ) did not have to to climb up and down a million times to unload the car.

We have 240 people in our Branch and 70% are inactive. Lots of older people with bad health problems and lots with economical problems with no cars. We have our work cut out for us and will not have any problem wondering how to keep ourselves busy. The Branch boundaries are probably an hour in each direction from where we live. Lots of driving for us. We have met a lot of people and have felt so welcome by all. The other Senior couple will be leaving in 5 weeks and have been so helpful to us in meeting many of the members of our Branch.

We really felt at home here as soon as we arrived. We have a deeper appreciation that missionary work is a work of love and is directed by Heavenly Father.

We send our love and will hopefully be able to keep in touch now we have internet.

Also, sorry to Sister Cameron about all the changes for our address. Our mailbox did not have a lock on it and was outside. Ended up having to get a PO Box 1754 Marion SC 29571.

love Elder and Sister Johnston in South Carolina