As usual, i am not beginning at the beginning. I actually arrived in South Carolina early in  December . My daughter, Elise and I pulled into Irmo, to the South Carolina, Columbia Mission Office late in the afternoon of December 14th, where I checked in with the office Sisters. They were as sweet and kind and welcoming as they could be. They gave me my key, offered refreshment, And then we were on our way. anxious to meet my new companion, and tired from almost 4 days of driving. Elise was a great driving companion. She took more that her share of the driving time, and was an awesome conversationalist to stay awake with. she was amazing in every way. She put up with my slow moving, my forgetfulness, and my crankiness when I get tired. Oh yes, and she is fun! We were pushing on to get here quickly as we could. But we did have fun. Just talking and laughing and remembering stuff was fun, but so was the taco munching carriage ride through the River Walk in San Antonio, and the lunch in the French Quarter in New Orleans. Even the detour was interesting, and the swamp that lasted for miles, and miles, and miles.

Back to meeting my companion. I'm not sure what I was expecting. I was hoping that she would not be so young that I would annoy her because of my age. I was hoping that she would not be too intellegent that I would annoy her because of my mediocrity. I hoped that she would be moderately attractive, but not so attractive that I would be totally overlooked as we conversed with folks. I never dreamed that she would be 13 years my senior, I felt I was probably at the top of the age limit. She is very lovely and intelligent. She is German born with a charming accent. She loves opera, She reminds me a bit of my Grandmother, but then the only"date" that I have had as a widow reminded me of my Grandfather. Soon after our" evening out" he married a woman 20 years younger than me.
Sis. Davidson is lovely.  She has an amazing testimony.  She does not like my choices in music, but we survive and enjoy each others company.
     I was a bit shocked at the assignments we have been given. I had assumed we would be going from place to place helping different wards with suggestions for leadership as they might have discovered difficulties in implementing church policy in their wards. Not at all! These folks are right up to par in everything. Their leadership is Spirit filled and lacks no skill nor knowledge. What they lack are warm bodies to call on folks in need. There are so many here that need financial, spiritual, emotional, mental, legal and physical help. And a ride to Church. I just pray that we are knowledgeble enough, strong enough, spiritual enough to bring some help and relief. Our Relief Society President is amazing, as they most always are!  She is on Top of every thing. Plus she's just really nice and down to earth.. No pretense, no nonsense get things done! with sweetness and a smile!!
     I was very glad for our visits today. First we went to a sister who is in a nursing facility to be cared for following some strokes . We saw her a couple of weeks ago. She was curled up against the side of her bed, with her face partially buried unto the side bars.  She listened but didn't speak as we expressed the Savior's love for her,and asked if we could pray for her?  She nodded in the affirmative.
We prayed and she smiled a big smile for us, then reached out to hold our hands. It was all sweetness as we left. So today as we arrived we found her much as the previous time, with the added aroama of old urine.When I spoke to her she said she had used the bathroom. So I went and found a nurse and asked if she could come to give her aid. She followed in a minute or two, and we stepped outside to give her privacy. A few minutes later the nurse and aid brought her out in a wheel chair, all dressed in a fresh gown looking as if she'd had a shower,  plus wearing glasses. I hardly recognized her. They wheeled her to a dining area, where she joined two other ladies. We talked with all three of them, We introduced ourselves. They introduced themselves. They were alert and well spoken. A fourth lady joined us with attitude. Wanted to know why we were here. And if we were trying to help, why we weren't here everyday? She had been there for three years!She was there to protect her friend. Sister Davis interjected that we were here teaching about Jesus. She asked, "Why you tryin' to teach her about Jesus? She don't understand "nuttin.'" At which time Carolny became upset and tried to say that she did understand. Her other two friends echoed her defense, but the newcomer continued to berate us for not being there everyday and for try to sell Carolyn something. She was patting Carolyn's arm and saying that she could "understand nothin'", but Carolyn got more agitated and was knocking away her hand and saying this lady didn't know about who Jesus was. We intervened with calming words of friendship and loving one another and they did calm down, but interloping friend walked away, still muttering to stop trying to sell Carolyn something. I followed her and explained that we were selling nothing. only trying to bring an uplifting message and she stopped muttering and went back to the table.We said our goodbyes to Carolyn and her friends and told them we would be back in a few days,
marveling at all the gumption shown by Carolyn, and her protecting friend.
I have several other eye opening and interesting stories of other single ladies here in Columbia, but since I didn't start at the beginning I think I'll add them in sparingly in future posts.For now just know that Just loves you and I and every other one of his creations, regardless of how much of his gospel we understand.