South Carolina Mission

Oct 13, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

Every time we drive thru town or thru the country side looking for people—I see churches everywhere. We were told that South Carolina is a very religious state. What a great thing when on Sunday morning you see everyone around going to church. We have seen so many churches, that I was curious if it was possible to find out (approximately) how many churches there were. I checked it out on google and in the town of Marion there were over 40 that were LISTED. Who knows how many weren't on the list or out of the town. In the 8 towns that are in our branch---there are over 100 churches. In the county we live in over 3000. Amazing to me!!!

The cotton is really popping out!!! they must defoliate so the leaves die and then the cotton really comes to LIFE !!!!! So very pretty. I recalled how Aden said that he had a white Christmas in South Carolina because of all the cotton Blooming, that's what it looks like.

So interesting to go into a grocery store and find all kinds of flower plants, and garden plants for sale. They are still planting some things here. Very different. Never have seen Okra growing before. It gets very tall, 4 to 5 feet at least. They have to pick it every morning and will really get a lot off each plant.

It even has a pretty flower. We had some boiled and it was real tasty!!!

We spent Saturday and Sunday of last week at the church watching General Conference broadcast from Salt Lake City. We ate lunch and supper there both days. Of course it started at 12;00 and 4:00 both days. Was some marvelous talks we both really enjoyed it. Most of the time there were only the 8 missionaries there---we had about 20 at the Saturday morning session. We all had a spiritual time together.

Elder Johnston and I have been searching out lost people on the Branch records. We have driven lots of roads and most of the time I do not know where we are, just grateful for GPS. Have found a lot of people and talked to a lot of neighbors to find people that have moved. There are so many kind, helpful people in our area. It really has been very enjoyable to talk to everyone. It has also given us the opportunity to see the fields—crops growing, being harvested, the beautiful trees and mowed grass everywhere. They don't have water anything. Just comes this way naturally!!

Sunday was so good. We had over 60 people come to church. The speakers have only been members for less than a year and did an excellent job.

The Branch President's daughter fell out of the swing, and broke her femur. They needed to do surgery. They stayed the hospital 4 ½ days. They had 3 boys at home. We went over on one afternoon and spent the night. The boys told their parents that the Mormons came and spent time with them. Their mom said there were a lot of members of the church that helped out. They said---but they had us read the scriptures and have family prayer!!! Funny boys!!! We were the only Mormons that spent the night!!! It was nice to help out they are a nice family. Home schooled---so we got to be teachers too.

One day last week all eight missionaries and the Branch Mission leader went to a lady's home to do yard work. It was great fun!!! all working together. She was so great grateful for the work---her health is very bad. We went back on Sunday---there were leaves all over the lawn again!!! looks like fall is in the air.

We are so fortunate to be in an environment back home to have the opportunity to live in the country and have had work for our children to do. Seeing the kids in town—with nothing to do, makes us realize how very blessed we are. As we are meeting so many wonderful people here in South Carolina who are such good people, but are living without Heavenly Father's guidance, it makes our hearts ache to see how complicated their lives have become because of this lack of direction.

It is such a treat for us to be here,trying to help show Heavenly Father's love and concern for everyone—anyway we can

We sure miss everyone. It is a good thing everyone here is SO good to us---or we would hurry home. We do love it here. It is fun being a Missionary!!!

Love the Johnston Missionaries

PS-- look on our blog for pictures eldersisterjohnston.blogspot.com